Managing the Design Process-Concept Development

Chapter 3Design-Centric Research

The Importance of Research for Design

The best design is nearly always informed by some kind of research. At its best, research gives designers insights into the human, cultural, technical, emotional, and cognitive factors in a domain or context that they are designing for. However, some research studies can lead to erroneous conclusions and mistaken concepts.

Most designers at some point in their careers, have been handed a research report or “deck” from the client—usually from the marketing department. Valuable time and money has been spent acquiring this information, and the designer is expected to make use ...