Methods of Design for Everyday Life
Design characteristics, process and principles
Design is the activity of solving problems. We use design to have an impact on our everyday life. Most designs share the same characteristics such as:- an incomplete description
- unclear possible steps
- unknown goal in advance
- trade-offs among interdependent elements
- need of different skills → relies on designers with a broad knowledge
- wide range and on-going impact on human activities
Design often even follow the same process steps which roughly include:
- clarifying the problem
- identifying design moves
- envisioning the solution
- recognising trade-offs and dependencies
- integrating divers knowledge and skills
- anticipating impacts on human activity
During design processes there are different types of principles that allow a more effective design. Most of these help in identifying solutions and designing with the user in mind. One form of design principles that focus on sustainability for environment and humans is Permaculture Design.
While working in a familiar environment (such as home / everyday life) designers often work with assumptions that lead to false developments of designs. To avoid such mistakes designers can resort to Defamiliarisation - a method that forces the estrangement of the familiar and the known.
Design Technologies
Designs often include technologies that the user can use and take advantage of. There are different types of technologies available, they can come from nature or be developed by humans.There are nevertheless two different aspects of technologies: fluid and firm technologies.
Fluid technologies include designs that don't have one complete function, while solid technologies do. A pen for example is a fluid technology - it not only has the function to write but also the ability to be carried everywhere, share ideas, can be considered as tool of emotions, a status symbol / accessories and be used for measurements.
A design nevertheless can still have in addition a solid technology. The pen's lack of compatibility when it comes to refilling its ink cartridges is an example of a solid technology.
Another example of a fluid technology is the Zimbabwe Bush Pump.
Adoption of Technology
If a technology is not adopted by certain people or groups then the technology will die and not be used. However, even if the technology is adopted, it may not have positive effects.
→ The key of a successful adoption is user interface: with a good user interface technologies are more easily adopted and accepted by the people
Contextual Design
Designing must always occur in the context to where you are (surroundings). This is especially important when designing in the everyday life and includes the present, the past and fictional visualisations (such as literature and media).
A designer is always expected to talk in context, which means including dates, political and historical situations and influences and everyday life scenarios.
→ Design is born out of contexts
Influences from Fiction and Science Fiction
Fiction and Science Fiction have had a huge impact on our everyday life - many terms and visions of the original Star Trek, for example, have been applied today. What fiction and especially science fiction allows the illustration futuristic scenarios while serving as a pool for inspiration and dreams. In design there's a specific method that focuses exactly on that - the development of concepts that show possible futures. This method is called Diegetic Prototyping.