On this web page, you will find definitions of terms that we use.
Approach
Definition: A behavioural way to tackle a problem from a particular perspective.
For example:
- design thinking from a user perspective,
- systems thinking from a holistic perspective, and
- participatory thinking from a dialectical perspective.
Creative
Definition: Productive through imagination.
Design (noun)
Definition: A plan, sketch, or drawing showing an object’s appearance, function, and workings before it is built or made.
Design (verb)
Definition: To create new experiences through an object that is yet to be built or made.
In other words, a design process attempts to meet and exceed explicit and implicit expectations by specifying a new object. There are many fields of application, such as advertising, industrial, and web design, all with their own definitions of design.
Scientifically speaking, designing creates a theory: an idea, plan, or set of principles on how to fulfil particular needs and desires through the properties of a non-existing object. Furthermore, designing creates a model of this theory. It specifies an object with properties that correspond to the properties according to the theory. Based on this model, you can build or make the object (see Towards an anticipatory view of design).
Experience
Definition: The emotion a person feels when realizing the possibilities of fulfilling a need or desire.
Methodology
Definition: A set of principles, practices, and procedures that help solve particular problems.
For example:
- Agile for change-driven development,
- V-Model for test-driven development, and
- Design for X for issue-driven development.
Organizational creativity
Definition: Creativity that you cannot attribute to individuals but only to a group of people.
Professional practice
Definition: A group of people that focuses on the long-term sustainable success of a specific profession in an organization.
For design, see A Framework for Building a Design Practice.
Team organization
Definition: An assembly of two or more people working together to accomplish a common goal.
A team organization can be described in terms of the following aspects:
- Strategy
- Structure
- System
- Specialisms
- Skills
- Shared values
Wicked problem
Definition: A vague, confusing, and unique problem that you understand only after formulating a solution.
A design problem is a wicked problem. In practice, requirements formulated to express the needs and desires of users are often incomplete, inconsistent, imprecise, or ambiguous (see Towards a knowledge level theory of design process).