The Design Researcher in Quandary: The conflicting roles of being both a designer and a design researcher

In the field of practice-based research we articulate the dilemma that emerges as the creative designer embraces the role of being an interaction design researcher. We exemplify the dilemma in a specific design case originating from a PhD project. In this case, we use sketching to illustrate how the design researcher embodies the creative designer at all times. We show how the dilemma becomes tangible in the conversation with the material when having to manage a set of design constraints, concerns and sensibilities. We acknowledge that when taking on both roles at the same time there are two different clients with different agendas to serve. Where one is concerned with making the best possible product the other pertains to the contribution of knowledge. Finally, we state the importance of having a strong research question when balancing a research program while at the same time creating a new, desired reality.