Generating Design Briefs Based on the Analysis of Workplace Artifacts Invented by Industrial Workers: Towards Addressing Gaps of Context and Scope in the Study of Spontaneous Design

Correia de Barros, Ana and Magalhães, Inês and Correia, Catarina and Moutinho, Rúben (2024) Generating Design Briefs Based on the Analysis of Workplace Artifacts Invented by Industrial Workers: Towards Addressing Gaps of Context and Scope in the Study of Spontaneous Design. In: P/References of Design. Cumulus conference proceedings series, 1 . Cumulus Association, Moholy-Nagy University of Art and Design Budapest, Budapest, pp. 1895-1906. ISBN 978-952-7549-03-5

Text 6c5dbbde-904f-41d0-be5c-e6a4a8b5fef6 - Published Version Download (7MB)

Abstract

Research on spontaneous design presents a gap of context and a gap of scope. By 'gap of context' we refer to the territory of human workplaces, which are rich in examples of worker inventiveness, but still comparatively unexplored by design research. By 'gap of scope' we refer to how existing studies of spontaneous design have served to document, categorise, and understand design processes made by non-designers, but have fallen short on translating this knowledge into practical advice or tools for professional design practice. We present an initial approach to start addressing those gaps. First, through fieldwork in 11 industrial units in various sectors (textile, ceramics, metallurgy...), we identified and analysed 205 spontaneous design examples made by industrial workers. After analysing these artifacts, we generated design briefs, which were answered by the research team and iterated upon based on feedback from the representatives of the industrial units, as well as industrial workers. To understand whether the principles distilled from the analysis of spontaneous designs could be efficiently communicated to designers not involved in the initial research phase, we presented the same design briefs to design students as well as to design professionals, who presented their design concepts. In total, the process resulted in 15 design concepts. Through an analysis of the process and the resulting design concepts, we discuss the advantages and disadvantages of this approach, while also identifying future courses of action to continue addressing the gaps of context and scope.

Actions (login required)

Edit Item