About
This project (Design Research Framework) aims to implement a framework that not only documents research performed at Design Academy Eindhoven (DAE) but also integrates it into a system designed to foster contribution of and collaboration among students across departments and years. The resulting collective knowledge repository cultivates a more dynamic and rigorous academic environment, enhancing the growth of both artistic and design research at DAE. This initiative will ultimately empower students to engage in a shared research culture.
The project is initiated by the Professorship Design & Social Innovation at Design Academy Eindhoven (DAE), led by Naomi Bueno de Mesquita. The research for this framework began in 2022, stemming from an inquiry into graduation projects that could serve as a foundation for future research. While we encountered numerous innovative projects at DAE, we identified a critical issue: the knowledge embedded in the process of creation and execution was frequently under-documented. This gap in documentation inspired Naomi to write the Manifesto for a Design Research Framework and explore initiatives like the Lexicon of Design Research. Additionally, she drew upon the work of Jaap Knevel, whose graduation project at DAE laid the groundwork for what would later evolve into a Materials Bank for design research.
However, despite the significance of these initiatives, they are not yet widely embraced by students and tutors at DAE. Additionally, we observed a growing trend of protectionism surrounding projects, particularly during the making process. This tendency to guard works closely can stifle the sharing of ideas and insights, making it harder for students to build on each other’s work or contribute to a collective body of knowledge. Such protectionism is problematic if the aim is to advance research. To counter this, clear referencing guidelines and open sharing practices, such as the use of open-source tools, are crucial for cultivating a robust research culture that prioritizes transparency and intellectual exchange.
These gaps and observations, and Naomi herself researching how to integrate an open source ethos into the lectoraat, have motivated the initiation of this project, which aims to build on existing efforts and integrate them into DAE’s ICT system by establishing a collective research repository. This repository will act as a centralized resource for all students, encouraging the sharing of knowledge and collaboration. Where applicable, elements of the Lexicon of Design Research will be incorporated into the repository to build on previously generated knowledge.
The repository is built through a data-diven approach, categorising students graduation projects over the last years to inform and adapt the framework where necessary. It will be fully accessible to all students, promoting not only the contribution of their own research but also the opportunity to utilize and expand the collective knowledge base. Furthermore, the upcoming DAE website will integrate this repository, transforming it into an interactive and dynamic tool that enhances the learning for the entire community. This project seeks to establish a culture of open exchange, advancing research integrity and collaboration.
In our research we have identified seven key elements necessary to transform projects into knowledge-building blocks:
1. Define the type of research
There is a need to clearly categorize the different types of research conducted at DAE, distinguishing between Artistic Research and Research through Design (RtD). This distinction will enable students and tutors to better understand and position their work within the appropriate research framework, providing clearer direction and alignment
2. Identify the research approach(es)
Clarify what approach or combination of approaches is being used within the research. This could include exploratory, speculative or participatory approaches, among others. Clearly identifying these will strengthen the research’s conceptual foundation.
3. Clarify methodologies and methods applied
Providing a detailed explanation of the methodologies and specific methods applied is crucial for ensuring transparency and comprehension. By clearly documenting these processes, this project enhances understanding of how knowledge is generated, allowing others to build upon or further develop the work.
4. Specify theories used or that the research contributes to, if any
Outline any theories that the research draws upon or contributes to. This helps to contextualize the project within existing knowledge frameworks.
5. Pinpoint application of research
Pinpoint the real-world applications of the research, highlighting its practical relevance and potential impact across different contexts and disciplines. This demonstrates the value of artistic and design research beyond academia, showing how it can contribute to wider societal, cultural, or industry-related developments
6. Demonstrate relational logic between projects
Establishing connections between different research projects will illustrate how they build upon one another and contribute to a larger body of knowledge. This relational logic will be integrated into DAE’s ICT system to foster a comprehensive and interconnected research environment.
7. Comply with research integrity guidelines.
This point serves as a fundamental precondition for positioning projects within this framework. Research integrity ensures that all contributions adhere to ethical standards and maintain credibility, thus safeguarding the quality of the work within the system.