Investigating Information: A qualitative analysis of designers’ information representation and structuring behaviors
Advisor Information
Dr. Christine Toh
Location
231
Presentation Type
Oral Presentation
Start Date
1-3-2019 9:00 AM
End Date
1-3-2019 10:15 AM
Abstract
Information plays a vital role in society, business and daily life. Similarly, information utilization and organization are integral to the design and development of creative ideas. Studies have shown that information utilized in the design process takes on a variety of characteristics, dimensions and forms. Navigating this sea of information can be challenging, even for experienced designers. Therefore, deep analysis of how designers utilize and organize information will provide qualitative insights into their information representation and information structuring behaviors. To accomplish this, three professionals in the software design and development field in the Omaha area were recruited for individual 3-hour design sessions. During this session, the designers were asked to generate ideas for a simple design problem (reducing pedestrian accidents in Omaha). They were asked to only use the provided design information, which was specifically created for this study by the researchers using rigorous pilot testing. The 16 pieces of information were based on the previously developed Typological Framework of Design Information. The study results shed light on how designers conceptualize and organize design information during the early phases of the design process
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Investigating Information: A qualitative analysis of designers’ information representation and structuring behaviors
231
Information plays a vital role in society, business and daily life. Similarly, information utilization and organization are integral to the design and development of creative ideas. Studies have shown that information utilized in the design process takes on a variety of characteristics, dimensions and forms. Navigating this sea of information can be challenging, even for experienced designers. Therefore, deep analysis of how designers utilize and organize information will provide qualitative insights into their information representation and information structuring behaviors. To accomplish this, three professionals in the software design and development field in the Omaha area were recruited for individual 3-hour design sessions. During this session, the designers were asked to generate ideas for a simple design problem (reducing pedestrian accidents in Omaha). They were asked to only use the provided design information, which was specifically created for this study by the researchers using rigorous pilot testing. The 16 pieces of information were based on the previously developed Typological Framework of Design Information. The study results shed light on how designers conceptualize and organize design information during the early phases of the design process