Interrogating the Value of Design Research for Change

Rodgers, Paul and Mazzarella, Francesco and Conerney, Loura (2020) Interrogating the Value of Design Research for Change. The Design Journal. ISSN 1460-6925

[thumbnail of InterrogatingValueofDesignResearchforChange_10Figs]
Text (InterrogatingValueofDesignResearchforChange_10Figs)
InterrogatingValueofDesignResearchforChange_10Figs.pdf - Accepted Version
Available under License Creative Commons Attribution.

Download (580kB)

Abstract

This paper examines different types of value created by design research in the UK. Given the significant economic, social and environmental challenges we currently face, funding bodies and governments are increasingly concerned with assessing the value and impact of design research. The value generated by design research is not always clearly articulated by the academic community and understood by the public. With this in mind, this paper examines a sample of 67 projects that traverse conceptual, disciplinary and methodological boundaries representing the spread of contemporary design research in the UK. The paper presents an innovative 4-leaf value model that integrates different value theories from economics, sustainable development, and the social sciences. The paper highlights that design research plays a significant role in generating social, cultural, economic and environmental change, outlines synergies between the different types of value produced, and identifies gaps for design researchers to focus on in future years.

Item Type:
Journal Article
Journal or Publication Title:
The Design Journal
Uncontrolled Keywords:
/dk/atira/pure/subjectarea/asjc/1200/1213
Subjects:
?? design valuedesign researchchangearts and humanities research councilvisual arts and performing artscomputer graphics and computer-aided design ??
ID Code:
143382
Deposited By:
Deposited On:
20 Apr 2020 10:55
Refereed?:
Yes
Published?:
Published
Last Modified:
21 Oct 2024 23:55