JACollaborative Design Research Project
Although there has been an increase since 2004 in design methodologies, like the service design philosophy that identifies social problems and attempts to solve them through the development of objects and systems, the methodology itself has not been examined. This examination can include the effective designers, their principles, the setting of the target frame itself, or the impact of the proposed solution itself. In the context of a society based on consumption that feels stagnant yet is trying to shift towards sustainability, we believe it is necessary to explore new ways of asking questions concerning the impact and scope of the design process, taking into account the social nature behind such a shift in society and individuals’ values. Particularly in rural areas and companies, design tends to be viewed as a tool; however, this relationship must be reexamined, including an understanding of the process and its relationship to design. In order to overcome the conventional modern design method based on cause and effect, we would like to try to include wholeness and its impact, consider the relationship between the person who designs and the object of design, and examine the extent to which society and design are affected by one another.
Research Representative(s):
Suzuki Nobuya
Research Member(s):
Akabane Kyo
This project will promote dialogue with local businesses and others to investigate the role of design. We will investigate the role of design in the process, including the preliminary stages of the dialogue at the intersection of prototype creation and collaborative research, including frame setting, shared vision, and understanding of the process. Interviews will be conducted with design consultants, practitioners, and academics who are working with design methodologies, including case studies and follow-ups. The interviews will be analyzed and evaluated by comparing their results with the interviews.
Simultaneously, we would like to investigate the current state of the field, including literature reviews and participation in academic conferences, and summarize the results based on our evaluation of the interviews. We will bridge the gap between design and the actual object, and examine future design through new perspectives gained by creating such a bridge.
April-September 2024:
Conduct Joint Research 1: Collaboration with a company
Conduct Joint Research 2: Collaboration with local government; external presentation planned for August
October – December 2024:
Reflection on Joint Research 1 and 2
Conduct Joint Research 3: Planned collaboration proposals with businesses and organizations
January – March 2025:
Reflection on Joint Research 3
Reflection and summary of the year’s results/achievements
2023 - Present