

Exposing the Magic of Design: A Practitioner's Guide to the Methods and Theory of Synthesis.

Thoughts on Interaction Design, Second Edition.

Thoughts on Interaction Design, First Edition.
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Craftsmanship.
Thoughts on the relationship between craft, hand skills, and interactions.
Published in interactions magazine, November/December, 2011
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The Conflicting Rhetoric of Design Education.
A summary of the complex problems present, and presently discussed, in design education.
Published in interactions magazine, July/August, 2011
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Endless Nights - Learning from Design Studio Critique.
An exploration of the unique process of design studio critique.
Published in interactions magazine, March/April, 2011
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How Do You Transform Good Research Into Great Innovations?.
Part 1 of 3: A brief introduction of design synthesis and translation.
Published in Fast Company, January 12, 2011
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Cultural Values That Will Make Your Office an Idea Factory.
Part 2 of 3: A description of the cultural values that support synthesis.
Published in Fast Company, January 19, 2011
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When Trying to Invent, Being Objective Can Cripple Your Process.
Part 3 of 3: A description of the importance of bias in synthesis.
Published in Fast Company, January 27, 2011
- Unveiling the Magic of Design: The Role of Synthesis.
Synthesis is a process or result of building up separate elements, especially ideas, into a connected whole. This paper describes the two key stages of synthesis: sensemaking and framing.
Published in Rotman Magazine, Winter, 2011.
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Sensemaking and Framing: A Theoretical Reflection on Perspective in Design Synthesis.
A text examining various perspectives on sensemaking, as it pertains to the creative process.
Published in 2010 Design Research Society conference proceedings.
- Designing in the Face of Change: The Elusive Push Towards Emotionally Resonant Experiences.
This paper summarizes trends that are becoming evident in the business of design, particularly relevant in the for-profit design consultancy.
Published in The New Review of Hypermedia and Multimedia, published by Taylor and Francis.
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Abductive Thinking and Sensemaking: The Drivers of Design Synthesis.
This paper describes how design synthesis works, based on abductive reasoning and on the communications theory of sensemaking.
Published in MIT's Design Issues, 26:1, Winter 2010.
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Our Misguided Focus on Brand and User Experience.
This polemic takes designers to task for playing a part in the charade of "UX" as the next wave of marketing.
Published on Johnny Holland, December 1st, 2009.
- The Authenticity Problem.
This short paper describes the nature of authenticity, and some of the problems with trying to capture authenticity through design.
Published in interactions magazine, issue XVI.6, November/December, 2009
- The Appearance of Influence.
This paper describes the cognitive psychology phenomonon of framing, and how it relates to power and influence.
Published in Design Mind, issue 10
- On Creation and Consumption.
This short paper describes the way consumers are increasingly stretched between the urge to create and consume.
Published in interactions magazine, issue XVI.5, September/October, 2009
- On Hopelessness and Hope.
This short paper describes three characteristics of designers who are able to retain a sense of hope in their work.
Published in interactions magazine, issue XVI.4, July/August, 2009
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The Tenuous Relationship Between Design and Innovation.
A text investigating the connection between design and innovation, the overuse of words, and the role of design in business and culture.
Published in Artifact Magazine, Volume 1, issue 3.
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Information Architecture and Design Strategy: The Importance of Synthesis during the Process of Design.
This paper investigates the elements of Design Synthesis that are common to both Information Architecture and Design Strategy.
Published in the IDSA 2007 Conference.
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Information Architecture: Synthesis Techniques for the Muddy Middle of the Design Process.
This paper argues that the field of Information Architecture is an appropriate discipline for Industrial Designers to explore.
Published in the 23rd International Conference on the Beginning Design Student.
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Design as Communication: The Increasing Case for Literacy in Academia.
This paper discusses the importance of basic literacy for design students, and argues for changes to course curriculum based on these skills.
Published in the IDSA 2005 Conference.
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New Techniques in Industrial Design Education.
This paper describes three teaching techniques used to introduce students to the changing demands of professional industrial design work.
Published in the 6th International Conference of the European Academy of Design.
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Mixing Disciplines in Anticipation of Convergence: A Curriculum for Teaching Interaction Design to Industrial Designers.
A description of the needs filled by the unique convergent curriculum offered at Savannah College of Art and Design.
Published in Interactions Magazine.
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User-Driven Brand Design : Establishing a Convergent Brand Experience.
A text looking at the connections between brand and the experiential and emotional qualities of natural life.
Published in Tweak, Q4/03.