Carroll, J. M. (2000). "Making Use: Scenario-­Based Design of Human­Computer Interactions". The MIT Press. “the Process”

Design?

As one of the most important activity of the humans, the act of designing is just possible through the human intelligence. What actually happens when we design is, we are responding to the world. That means we are always changing the world somehow, what leads to new situations.

Problems in Design

It’s important before designing to be sure, that the description of the situation isn’t incomplete, inaccurate or irrelevant. It helps to start with a well researched starting point, where you also involve other people / areas of the project. The first big step in design is to identify the problem.

Six characteristic and difficult properties of design

1. Incomplete description of the problem to be addressed
2. Lack of guifance on possible design moves
3. The design goal or solution state cannot be known in advance
4. Trade-offs among many interdependent elements
5. Reliance on a diversity of knowledge and skills
6. Wide-ranging and ongoing impacts on human activity

Standard design methods do not effectively address these six issues.