Experiencing design process in the digital age

Swinburne honours graduates have developed a new tool to assist Communication Design students with their design process.

Bachelor of Design (Communication Design) Honours graduates Natalie Pedevski and Kirsty Eckard argue there is not enough emphasis placed on touch and tactility in Communication Design education.

Their research-based project, Process: Tactile, explores the effects of computer technology on Communication Design education in regard to tactile forms of learning.

The researchers argue there has been a loss of skills-based education in the tertiary design system, due to the convenience of computer technology, which inhibits thorough exploration of all stages of the design process.

“The idea behind our project was to present our key research findings in a playful, engaging and tactile manner that would suit design students,” Natalie says.

Process: Tactile proposes using a tool called ‘Process Notes’, a design process investigation tool intended to aid tertiary Communication Design students to work through the design process thoroughly and efficiently.

'Process Notes’ can be used in collaboration with a design brief entitled ‘Tactility vs. Technology’. Both these tools can be used by students to thoroughly explore the entire design process.

Swinburne’s Head of Design, Society and Culture, Dr. Anita Kocsis says the work is a great example of the process of research, design and development.

“This project, like many of the honours design subjects, encourages students to develop research skills centred on an industry problem that enhances student thinking and reasons for their design decisions,” Anita says.

“Designers cannot rely solely on their status, instinct or tacit knowledge.

"Research skills give our students the edge to go in and battle for an artifact, service or system in a client pitch or a design development document.

"Natalie and Kirsty used the tools common to the elements and principles of design, to produce an exemplary proof of concept, prototype called ‘process notes’, to enhance the multifaceted process of designing and translate between the process of working on screen and on paper,” she says.