Scale and the wicked problem in fourth order design

Publications: Contribution to conferencePaperResearchpeer-review

Abstract

User-centred design evolved in the context of product design – projects with client-defined goals and comparatively short lead-times (Sanders and Stappers, 2008; Herriott, 2014). These conditions are not standard in product design. Yet the need remains to involve users appropriately and effectively (to do with matters of equity) in larger scale projects such as transport and architecture. To explore the effect of scale and duration on user-centred design, this paper compares cases of hospital design and public transport design. This paper has synthesises empirical studies of user involvement in public transport and hospital design. The paper draws comparisons between large design projects and case of “wicked problems”. Using this link, the paper argues for the reasons outlined in Rittel and Webber (1973) that large systems projects are not readily amenable to tackling using standard design processes. The paper then tries to show that the success of design approaches in the first three orders of design (Buchanan, 2001) are not automatically transferrable to what Buchanan terms Fourth Order design.
Original languageEnglish
Publication date10 Apr 2019
Number of pages8
Publication statusPublished - 10 Apr 2019
EventEuropean Academy of Design: Running with Scissors - Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art & Design, Dundee, United Kingdom
Duration: 9 Apr 201912 Apr 2019

Conference

ConferenceEuropean Academy of Design
LocationDuncan of Jordanstone College of Art & Design
Country/TerritoryUnited Kingdom
CityDundee
Period09/04/201912/04/2019

Keywords

  • desgning process
  • architecture
  • design
  • Hospitalskomplekser
  • user centred design, inclusive design, design process

Artistic research

  • No

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