A Design Research Framework — Mule Design

When I say design research I mean asking and answering questions in a systematic way in order to make more intentional and informed decisions about planning and creating new things and ways of doing things.

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I see design research as a design activity, more than a research activity. What matters most is learning what you need to know in order to make the best possible design decisions within existing constraints. It doesn’t necessarily matter if you uncover anything new, or whether you document what you learn in a specific format. It does matter that you are intentional, conscientious, and ethical at every step.

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Your practice might look slightly different, but always ask yourself: are we doing what is most convenient, or what is most effective? The thing about critical thinking is that it doesn’t necessarily take any more time, especially considering how often fuzzy thinking creates more work down the line, but it feels arduous.

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Brainstorming questions is another really productive activity not enough teams do. It is far more useful and collaborative than brainstorming ideas in most cases. Keep a running list. This will prime everyone on your team to keep their antennae up for ambient insights. Learning can come from anywhere if you’re screening for it and thinking critically.

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A “research repository” is not a substitute for the necessary interaction and communication among humans.

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Posted on November 13, 2022