Design Methods

IBIS Preceedings

Edited collection of the seminal papers.

Funded by the Zumberge Faculty Research and Innovation Fund in 1994, this book is an edited collection of the seminal papers on the topic of information systems in design. In particular, the papers are about information systems based on the understanding of planning and design as a process of argumentation. These kinds of information systems are known as Issue-Based Information Systems or IBIS. Issue-Based Information Systems are used as a means of widening the coverage of a problem. By encouraging a greater degree of participation, particularly in the earlier phases of the design process, the designer is increasing the opportunity that difficulties of his proposed solution, unseen by him, will be discovered by others. Since the problem observed by a designer can always be treated as merely a symptom of another higher-level problem, the argumentative approach also increases the likelihood that someone will attempt to attack the problem from this alternative or another point of view.

Introduction to Design Theories and Methods

A Guidebook for Instructors and Teaching Assistants

Based on Horst W.J. Rittel's highly influential Design Theories and Methods course at the University of California, Berkeley, this 1990 guidebook is a complete course summary detailing nine major topics: what is environmental design, the nature of design problems and the knowledge of the designer, systematic approaches to design problems, paradigms of designing and some useful concepts, the generation of ideas, what is good design, the context of design, what to design for, and the science of design.