Introduction to Designfor Non-Designers

Beth Harrison, PhDUniversity of Dayton

< elizabeth.harrison@udayton.edu >

Agenda

• What is design & why do we care?

• “Good design” defined

• Elements of critical thinking

• Practice making informed, conscious choices

What is design?

• What do you think?–

What is design?

• Choices we make as we create things, environments, relationships→ We are ALL designers!

• To plan something for a specific role or purpose or effect→ Intentional, with purpose in mind

Why do we care?

Environments disable!Environments disable!

Environments disable!

Environments disable!ENVIRONMENTS DISABLE!

What sorts of things do we design in DS?•

What do we design in DS?

• Language • Images• Spaces• Interactions• Relationships• Materials: print,

audio, web…

• Requirements• Learning

environments• Testing

environments• Processes

What is “good design”? (1)

• For designers, traditionally: good design = functionality + aesthetic appeal

functionality+

Aesthetic Appeal

What’s “good design”? (2)

• Good design = accessible / inclusive design =

Functionality / Accessibility+

Usability+

Aesthetic appeal

With a partner . . .

• Think of something in your life that is NOT well designed, that just doesn’t work for you. Why doesn’t it work?–

It’s all about (good) design

Good design

– takes time

– is a process, not a product

–asks for continuous critical reflection and creativity

There is no formula!

What does all this mean for us as DS providers?

•We make design choices everyday

•We are in a position to discuss design choices made around our institutions

•We need to make conscious, intentional design choices everyday

How can we think differently about the choices we make?

Elements of thought, from the Foundation for Critical Thinking

www.criticalthinking.org

8 Elements of Thought

• Purpose

• Question at issue

• Information

• Interpretation & inferences

• Concepts, theories, definitions, etc.

• Assumptions

• Implications & consequences

• Point of view

Questions to ask (1)

• What is the need? (purpose)

• What are the results you would like to achieve? (goals)–Concrete–Affective (feelings, values)

• What are the design parameters? (info)

Questions to ask (2)

• What are some possible solutions?

• What concepts, theories, principles apply?

• What assumptions underlie all of the above?

Questions to ask (3)

• What are the implications of each possible solution?

• Consider various stakeholders’ points of view.

Let’s try . . .