The dynamics of design activity by determinization level

Abstract

The aims of this study are to establish a new tool for describing design activity which can explain the simultaneity of both the rational problem solving paradigm and the paradigm of reflective practice, to discover the dynamics of design activity through protocol analysis, to investigate the effect of the dynamics of design activity on design process and solutions, and to find the effect of the determinization level of design task on design process and solutions. The existing paradigms for describing design activity were examined and compared. Dorst’s study of comparison of the rational problem solving paradigm and the paradigm of reflective practice for describing design activity was reported, and the dual-mode model of design methodology which was proposed based on his comparative study was illustrated. The limitations of the dual-mode model of design methodology for describing the simultaneity of the two paradigms were discussed. In order to establish a new tool for describing the simultaneity of the two paradigms, the subject matter of design was newly defined as a quasi-determinate goal area, and a triad problem-solving model of design with a changeable determinization level was established based on the quasi-determinate goal area. The established model is a goal-oriented problem-solving model, which is based on the triad relationship among a problem, a solution, and a goal. The goal area is distinguished from the indeterminate solution area. The goals are quasi-determinate, which is defined as determinate at a determinized boundary but indeterminate within the boundary. The concept of determinization which is the process of transforming the indeterminate solution area into the quasi-determinate goal area is identified. The quasi-determinate goal area can be partly approached with discovery, while the indeterminate solution area can be dealt with invention. The determinization level is changeable, and it determines the portion between discovery and invent...