1. Prof Kirsi Niinimäki Doc students Julia Valle and Namkyu Chun
Design Research 2016
Prof Kirsi Niinimäki
Doc students Julia Valle
and Namkyu Chun

2. Design Research
Design practice - Research driven exploratory design - Academic research
Presentation of different approaches in design research
Provide some tools for your own research approach in Master Thesis
Present some practices in the research field and present research as a career option

3. Course 80% attendance in lectures
Assignments (bookreport, group reflection, research plan)
All materials in MyCourses
All communication through MyCourses only

4. Design Research 12.9.-12.12 4 credits=108
12 Mondays =24h
Book reading 25h + reflective reporting 7h
Group meetings, reflection 4 x 3h=12h
Reading + constructing research plan 40h
=108

5. Assignment A In a group Book reading + reflective reporting
Koskinen, I., Zimmerman, J., Binder, T. Redström, J., Wensveen, S. (2011) Design research through practice. From the lab, field, and showroom. Waltham, USA: Elsevier.
Also as a ebook
Reflecting in a group, what is the research approaches presented in this publication. What is relevant for our own work?
If 5 members =10 pages = 5000words
Report by 24th of October

6. Assignment B In a group Group meeting at least 4 times
Discuss in a group about the presented research approached and their relevance for your own work (e.g. select 2-3 most interested ones). Before all lectures read provided lecture materials in MyCourses website
What is design research in the best? How the topic presented in different lectures connects to each other and your own work?
Reflective and free form report by 5th of December into MyCourses (can be visual + text)

9. Assignment C) Research plan
Own reflection in the form of research plan
Select one research approach.
Construct a research plan. What is the research approach and method you are interested in and would like to use in your own Master thesis. Plan how to use this method: e.g. literature review/background, collecting data, analyzing data, how to use results in design practice, reflective writing ects. (minimum 3 pages=1200 words). Platform will be provided.
By 5th of December to MyCourse

10. Last time 12th of December
We go through everyones research plan
Everyone gets an peer opponent, who reads the reseach plan beforehand, gives feedback and gives grade proposal
Teachers gives final grading for the research plan

11. Evaluation Evaluation: Group work Pass-Fail (+ excellent)
A research report 0-5

12. Design Research
To support your research work, read Thesis examples in Aaltodoc (list of research related Thesis works will be in MyCourses)
Go through materials in MyCourses before lectures (pre-read to be able to understand the lectures)
Reflect your learning with your students peers and in your group (deepening your understanding)

13. Master Thesis
Students demonstrate command of the field of the master's programme and ability to apply the knowledge and skills acquired in the programme independently;
Students demonstrate ability for research-oriented work on an artistic, theoretical or applied research topic and demonstrate ability to use data and source material for research purposes;
Students demonstrate good communication skills for work in the field of study.

14. Some basics Methoddology/methods
Methodology is the philosophy or general principles which guides the research
Research methods are the tools you are using to gather your data
Qualitative research explores attitudes, behaviours and experiences
E.g. action research, ethnography, grounded theory and also creative processes (e.g. constructive design research, practice-based or –led research, generative methods)
Dawson (2009)

15. Methodology/methods METHODOLOGY; User centered design: METHODS
Questionaire
Interviews
Leda users’ study
Focus group interviews
Ethnography
Participatory design

16. Design Research Research into art and design
Research through art and design
Research for art and design
field in design research
human centered design
constructive design research
design strategy and innovation

17. Please read this text Frayling, C. (1993); Research in Art and Design

18. Research into art and design
e.g. historical view into design
Objective research, researching design as a phenomena
Researcher does not need to be a designer

19. Research through art and design
Researcher & Designer
Reflective practitioner; how professionals think in action (Donald Schön 1959)
Design, artefact, creative process is a part of the data and knowledge construction
Outcome is scientific knowledge and artefact

20. Research for Art and Design
Research is done to get input for the creative process
Creative process is the focus
”Thinking is embodied in the artefact”
Artefact is the main outcome of the process

21. Design practice+research
Constructive design research (design+technology, experimenting through prototyping)
Practice led (artistic context)
Practice based (design context)
Research through design practice

22. Research through Design Practice
Design sensitive research
Design creativity is integrated in this kind of research
Culture of doing is in the centre
Design specific methods are used
Visuals, materials and cultural sensitivies can be captured

23. Prototype in research context
Can be
Question
It can help to formulate the question
It can be a discussion/communication tool
It can be a research outcome /results for a research question

24. Human centered design More objective approach
Collecting information from users to be included in the design process UX
Focus group
Lead users
Participatory design

25. Design Management Design strategy and innovation Design processes
Design processes in a company or organisation
Objective research
Management level
Generasable information

26. Further readings
Grix, J. (2010). The foundations of research. London: Palgrave Macmillan.
Dawson, C. (2009). Introduction to research methods; a practical guide for anyone undertaking a research project. Oxford: Howtobooks.
Kvale, S. (2007). Doing Interviews. London: Sage.
Ridley, D. (2012). The literature review. A step—by—step guide for students. London: Sage.
Anttila, P. (2006). Tutkiva toiminta ja ilmaisu, teos, tekeminen. Hamina: Akatiimi.
+ books about qualitative research

27. Group What interest you? Form a group of 5 people
Who is the chair person of the group?
Devide tasks
Inform Namkyu Chun your group; topic, names, timetable for meetings, plan for book reading and reflection meetings

28. Groups/theme Product design Creative and experimental design process
Design ethnography
User centered design
Experience driven design research
Empathic design
Sustainable Design
Artistic process
Interdisciplinary collaboration
Service design