Showing papers in "Design Journal in 2006"
29 citations
TL;DR: In this article, a survey of UK Higher Education Institutions, which are currently teaching knitwear design within their curricula, is presented, which discusses what is currently being taught with regards to seamless knitting and compares this with the views of a number of industrialists.
Abstract: 3D seamless knitwear machinery allows the creation of virtually finished garments, which require little to no make-up. The introduction of this technology forces a conceptual shift in the way knitted garments are both designed and created. Moreover, it challenges educators to re-evaluate the curriculum for textile or fashion design courses.This study is based upon a survey of UK Higher Education Institutions, which are currently teaching knitwear design within their curricula. It discusses what is currently being taught with regards to seamless knitwear design and compares this with the views of a number of industrialists. It finally offers some suggestions as to how to teach seamless concepts.
22 citations
TL;DR: The National Centre for Product Design & Development Research (PDR) has generated extensive case study material based on over 20 successful Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTPs) as mentioned in this paper, which concentrated on enhancing the design capabilities of a range of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in order to facilitate innovation and new product development.
Abstract: The National Centre for Product Design & Development Research (PDR) has generated extensive case study material based on over 20 successful Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTPs). These KTP projects have concentrated on enhancing the design capabilities of a range of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in order to facilitate innovation and new product development. This paper highlights the opportunities for design and development within SMEs, and provides a rationale for knowledge transfer. PDR's research has identified four issues that characterize design challenges within SMEs: (i) the impact of the owner-manager; (ii) the resource-constrained environment; (iii) the need for an effective design process; and (iv) promoting a company vision for innovation and change. The paper employs twelve exemplar KTP case studies (three in each of these four areas) to fully define these issues and draw conclusions with regard to a framework for effective product design within SMEs.
19 citations
TL;DR: Empirical research dealing with the use of metaphors as a supportive design tool was carried out, enabling an insight into the way metaphors helped students, and into the knowledge gained from the application of this tool in design problem-solving.
Abstract: Metaphors affect the way designers think, perceive, conceptualize and organize their knowledge. The vague character of metaphors allows for capturing the essence of a problem under different perspectives. In the design domain, this cognitive strategy can help to reflect on a problem situation and restructure it anew. This is particularly relevant in design problem-solving which by definition is ill-structured. Empirical research dealing with the use of metaphors as a supportive design tool was carried out. The investigation enabled an insight into the way metaphors helped students, and into the knowledge gained from the application of this tool in design problem-solving. Moreover, it was possible to identify what were the most frequent difficulties found during the process, and what could be the role of metaphorical thinking in future design tasks. Metaphors are proposed as an alternative reflective approach and as an educational tool for the development of design skills.
16 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors consider the academic and technical literature in relation to risk and design and the factors surrounding decision-making in the design process, including risk perception and calculation, as well as the management of risk during new product development.
Abstract: This research considers the academic and technical literature in relation to risk and design and the factors surrounding decision-making in the design process. Specifically, risk perception and calculation are considered, as well as the management of risk during new product development. Whilst numerous technical approaches to handling risk are available to managers it is clear that, for designers, use of less mechanistic approaches such as intuitive thinking, developing a design-mindfulness and simply listening to ‘gut feelings’ may also be significant.As researchers endeavour to characterize the management of risk in the design and development of successful new products, a number of key themes emerge. These include: investing in rigorous pre-launch homework; orientating new products to customer requirements and utilizing cross-functional, multi-skilled teams that avoid predetermined structures. Regular review of the NPD process is also important, as is recognizing and tolerating (even embracing) risk wit...
12 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, a more socially-and culturally-rooted understanding of objects is presented, which will serve to inform not only design studies but also other disciplines about the role of design in fashioning objects.
Abstract: Things occupy significant portions of physical and symbolic space in our daily lives and yet their appearance in scholarly discourse is either infrequent or scattered across academic departments. Disciplines and areas of study such as industrial design, anthropology, material culture studies, engineering, philosophy, as well as media and cultural studies, do routinely examine, analyse and debate the significance of material objects, but the symbolic meanings and values ascribed to them vary widely within these branches of learning. Design studies, which has traditionally regarded objects in formal rather than social terms, can benefit by expanding its discourse to include a more socially- and culturally-rooted understanding of objects. This knowledge will serve to inform not only design studies but also other disciplines about the role of design in fashioning objects.
11 citations
TL;DR: Reflection on experiences of running design-related Knowledge Transfer Partnership programmes suggests that attention needs to be paid to the types of knowledge that might be involved in design- related KTPs.
Abstract: The business of design is clearly a knowledge-based activity. Governments have introduced a variety of mechanisms to support knowledge transfer. One approach in the UK is the Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) programme, which supports collaboration between universities and businesses. This paper reflects on experiences of running design related KTP programmes. Firstly, examples of KTP programmes with non-design experienced Company Partners are reviewed. These KTP programmes have concentrated on transferring knowledge of tools, techniques and processes. Recent experience of a KTP programme between with a Company Partner highly experienced in design is then examined. This KTP programme has been based on creating tools within the Company Partner through codifying existing tacit knowledge. Reflection on both approaches suggests that attention needs to be paid to the types of knowledge that might be involved in design related KTPs. The paper concludes by suggesting ways of structuring KTP programmes to support tacit knowledge emergence.
4 citations
TL;DR: In the UK, the application of KTPs, previously Teaching Company Schemes (TCS), centres on a process where UK businesses and organizations benefit from knowledge in higher education as mentioned in this paper.
Abstract: T H E D E S I G N J O U R N A L , V O L U M E 9 , I S S U E 3 The process of Knowledge Transfer (KT) operates competitiveness for the private sector, efficiency for the public sector and enrichment for cultural life and civic resources. These themes often represent the experience of KT in many fields but particularly through studies in business, management, design and the creative arts. In the UK, the application of Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTPs), previously Teaching Company Schemes (TCS), centres on a process where UK businesses and organizations benefit from knowledge in higher education. KTPs have also significantly enriched the applied research environments of those design departments who engage in such schemes. KTPs often centre on the design and development of new products. New product development is, of course, inherently risky and new products and services have always failed at high rates. At the heart of risk perception associated with the consumption of products and services is the unpredictable nature of design and technological innovation in the marketplace. Consequently, the risks associated with very new products are continually perceived by companies as very high and ‘rules of thumb’ strategies may be important in reducing risk but may also stifle the creativity and design innovation associated with such products. A KTP in design often helps to reduce the risks involved in new product development; university design departments and companies not only D E S I G N B A S E D K N O W L E D G E T R A N S F E R P A R T N E R S H I P S
2 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors investigate the factors that influence the growth of design groups when participating in knowledge transfer partnerships (KTPs) and find limited empirical evidence that shed light on the influence of KTPs on design group development.
Abstract: This paper is an investigation of the factors that influence the growth of design groups when participating in Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTPs).
There have been many published case studies which associate KTPs with successful innovation and the economic success of the client (eg Design Council, 2001), yet a systematic literature review of leading design and educational management journals found limited empirical evidence that shed light on the influence of KTPs on design group development.
2 citations
TL;DR: This research examines collaborative projects that are shown to break through the creative boundary and integrate multidisciplinary contributions, and identifies how individual designers overcome their creative constraints and collaborate with others in order to identify a practical method.
Abstract: This research aims to introduce a strategic approach to overcome creative boundaries and optimize multidisciplinary contributions in Smart Clothing development, since former research results revealed that these issues are key to achieving fully integrated Smart Clothes Therefore, this paper examines collaborative projects that are shown to break through the creative boundary and integrate multidisciplinary contributions, and identifies how individual designers overcome their creative constraints and collaborate with others in order to identify a practical method The research results indicate that a clear description of Smart Clothing's context will provide a new framework for developers to work with
1 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the role of the Turkish government in assessing government buildings and purchasing office furniture, whether as a patron or consumer, was examined, and good practice with the aim of possible transfer to Turkey was found.
Abstract: Governments, design and purchase are significantly interrelated words. In both developed countries and some developing countries, many governments, as patron, commission separate bodies to support and promote design as a strategic tool for improving their industry. Many governments also commission bodies to purchase office equipment for thousands of civil servants in the ministries and agencies. These approaches give two aspects to governments - as patrons and also as consumers.Considering the worldwide government involvement in design and purchase with specific reference to Turkey, this paper examines the role of the Turkish government in ‘design and purchase,’ particularly assessing government buildings and purchasing office furniture, whether as patron or consumer. The paper then looks for examples of good practice with the aim of possible transfer to Turkey.This paper found that ‘design’ was not seen as a strategic tool in assessing government buildings and the purchasing of office furniture in Turkey...
TL;DR: Marking the transition from post-industrialism to the information age, contemporary architects are experimenting with computer-aided design to generate striking new forms and surfaces that embody the frenetic exchange of information that defines the authors' times.
Abstract: Marking the transition from post-industrialism to the information age, contemporary architects are experimenting with computer-aided design to generate striking new forms and surfaces. Accommodating external data in dynamic and transformative ways, their designs embody the frenetic exchange of information that defines our times. Yet, despite its considerable intrigue, such work is perhaps not as philosophically revolutionary as it might seem.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors consider one example of cluster policy as it applies to the furniture industry in the West Midlands region of the UK and describe the experience of developing the network, under the banner of Furniture West Midlands (FWM).
Abstract: Over recent years, there has been a number of national and regional initiatives to develop design in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the United Kingdom. Design-led manufacturing is promoted as a means by which SMEs in traditional industries can combat the threat of low cost overseas labour and compete successfully in the global marketplace. Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTPs) are seen as one method of implementing major change. However, there are other initiatives, one of which is the development of clusters of companies and other interested parties in various industrial sectors. This paper considers one example of cluster policy as it applies to the furniture industry in the West Midlands region of the UK. It describes the experience of developing the network, under the banner of Furniture West Midlands (FWM). By drawing on previous networking literature and national and regional policy, their applicability to FWM's objectives and implementation is explored. Additionally, the efficacy of ...
TL;DR: In the design sector knowledge transfer partnerships are multifaceted collaborations which impact on organizational structures and operations, offer opportunities to develop applied research, and facilitate the development of skills for the individual as discussed by the authors.
Abstract: In the design sector knowledge transfer partnerships are multifaceted collaborations which impact on organizational structures and operations, offer opportunities to develop applied research, and facilitate the development of skills for the individual.This paper discusses the project development of a KTP programme between a Belfast commercial and advertising photographer and the University of Ulster design school: from initial placement visits, through the project definition process, the subsequent running of the project (its strengths and weaknesses), and its long-term effects. The project focuses predominantly upon the integration of digital imaging technologies into a traditional film-based creative commercial practice. It does this by looking at the sequencing of processes involved: purchasing equipment, developing new working methods, adopting new processes and ultimately offering a broader range of services. It also looks at personnel retraining, the inevitable redundancy of old technologies, and th...