In my contextual research methods class that I teach which was created by Jon Kolko there is a deliberate "design opportunities" piece to the research process.
In the other professor's teaching, she doesn't take it this next step, but I not only encourage, but require that visualizing your opportunities in some manner (synthesizing). Further, I encourage (this I don't require) that during all phases of design research that students sketching solutions inspired by what they observe or otherwise listen to. The non-linear nature of design, implores this type of tool b/c sketching is associative in nature while at the same time being constructive and applying synthesis. It is not meant to be an ends, but rather a reference point of the moment. It works to help processing, create moments of interpretation and reflection and create new data points for analysis. AND lead towards post analysis synthesis. So I concur. -- dave . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Posted from the new ixda.org http://www.ixda.org/discuss?post=40670 ________________________________________________________________ Welcome to the Interaction Design Association (IxDA)! To post to this list ....... [email protected] Unsubscribe ................ http://www.ixda.org/unsubscribe List Guidelines ............ http://www.ixda.org/guidelines List Help .................. http://www.ixda.org/help
