Overview

Asking the right questions in the design phase of writing a text will give you a competitive advantage both in terms of the grade you want from your work and in enhancing the learning experience. This Unit aims to raise your awareness of the basic questions to ask in the design process based upon the Scandinavian Design Process. Too many students get involved in writing a text and realise later in the process that it is not a feasible topic to investigate or there are functional obstacles that they should have considered beforehand. 

Materials Updates/News: 

Periodically, materials will be updated, or there may be news items worthy of attention related to this Unit. They will be notified here. If you come across any news/resources, e.g. journal/newspaper articles relevant to the content of this website, please let me know. I can be contacted via the email address below.

Gregory, J. (2003). Scandionavian Approaches to Participatory Design. International Journal of Engineering Education. 19(1). notes how conflict is important as a resource in design. 

Kyng, M. (1998). Users and computers: A contextual approach to design of computer artifacts. Scandinavian Journal of Information Systems. 10(1-2).  States: "The design process is a political one and includes conflicts at almost every step of the way...If the inevitable conflicts are pushed to one side or ignored in the rush toward an immediately workable solution, that system may be dramatically less useful and continue to create problems."