The interaction between industrial design student decisions and design process

Abstract

Design is a non-linear dynamic process, and it can be analyzed step by step within the framework of decision-making. Design activity involves constantly defining problems and generating solutions, continuously shifting between these two aspects. Design decisions include generating iterative choices and eliminating options, impacting various aspects of product design, such as form, material, and function, all while considering users in diverse situations. User research data serves as a knowledge base, facilitating cognitive strategies and triggering design decisions by providing an understanding of users. Design students manage each step of the design process, making the communication of user research results a critical activity. Verbal protocol analysis was conducted with design students. This method was chosen to study the relationship between designer decisions and the design process, emphasizing the importance of analyzing decision-making step by step. Additionally, the effect of the design studio environment was considered, as the design studio course serves as a space for idea integration. One-on-one interactions between design students and lecturers foster reflective practice, with feedback and guidance being crucial components of this interaction. The study began with the distribution of the brief and concluded with the final presentations. Therefore, the significance of design briefs in design activity is crucial due to their nature of setting the framework for projects by providing constraints. Based on theoretical frames and verbal protocol analysis, this paper presents a conceptual model of design students interpreting user research data as an input to their design processes. The reflection of user research data onto the design process is framed by this model, providing an in-depth exploration of decision- making and how user research data influences it. The study reveals a symbiotic relationship between user research data and design. User research data helps designers better understand user groups, identify preferences, needs, and behaviors. The integral role of user research in guiding design decisions and shaping the final product is emphasized and its critical importance in the educational context of industrial design is highlighted