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

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Jon Kolko (Director, Director, Austin Center for Design) Beth Johnson

Exposing the Magic of Design

A Practitioner's Guide to the Methods and Theory of Synthesis

Jon Kolko (Director, Director, Austin Center for Design), Beth Johnson, Gianna Marzilli Ericson , Paul Gould

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English

Oxford University Press Inc
28 April 2011

Cognition & cognitive psychology; Management & management techniques; Communications engineering & telecommunications; Computer science; Artificial intelligence

Series: Human Technology Interaction Series

"As the world deals with increasing complexity -- in issues of sustainability, finance, culture and technology -- business and governments are searching for a form of problem solving that can deal with the unprecedented levels of ambiguity and chaos. Traditional ""linear thinking"" has been disparaged by the popular media as being inadequate for dealing with the global economic crisis. Standard forms of marketing and product development have been rejected by businesses who need to find a way to stay competitive in a global economy. Yet little has been offered as an alternative. It is not enough to demand that someone ""be more innovative"" without giving him the tools to succeed.

Design synthesis is a way of thinking about complicated, multifaceted problems of this scale with a repeatable degree of success. Design synthesis methods can be applied in business, with the goal of producing new and compelling products and services, and they can be applied in government, with the goal of changing culture and bettering society. In both contexts, however, there is a need for speed and for aggressive action. This text is immediately relevant, and is more relevant than ever, as we acknowledge and continually reference a feeling of an impending and massive change. Simply, this text is intended to act as a practitioner's guide to exposing the magic of design.

There are three simple goals for this text.

The first goal is to present a theory of design synthesis in a simple and concise manner. This theory is based on academic research and discourse, but presented in a way that is clear and valuable to a practicing design manager, designer or design researcher. This theory of design synthesis can then be used to substantiate single methods of synthesis.

The second goal is to offer a rationalization of why design synthesis is important, both in a general sense (""why should I care about this at all?"") as well as in a more immediate sense (""why should I care about this right now?"").

The final goal is to present a set of actionable, learnable methods for design synthesis that can be applied to any design problem. Practicing industrial designers, interaction designers, interface designers, and designers of other disciplines can use these methods to make sense of complicated design problems and to move seamlessly from various forms of research to design. The methods can add a systematic sense of rigor to an otherwise subjective, often introspective process."

By: Jon Kolko (Director Director Austin Center for Design)
Contributions by: Beth Johnson, Gianna Marzilli Ericson, Paul Gould, Colleen Murray
Imprint: Oxford University Press Inc
Country of Publication: United States
Dimensions: Height: 163mm, Width: 236mm, Spine: 25mm
Weight: 440g
ISBN: 9780199744336
ISBN 10: 0199744335
Series: Human Technology Interaction Series
Pages: 208
Publication Date: 28 April 2011
Audience: College/higher education , A / AS level , Further / Higher Education
Format: Hardback
Publisher's Status: Active

Jon Kolko is an Associate Creative Director at frog design (http://www.frogdesign.com/) and the Founder and Director of Austin Center for Design (http://www.austincenterfordesign.com/), an educational institution in Texas. He has worked extensively in the professional world of interaction design, solving the problems of Fortune 500 clients. Prior to working at frog, Kolko was a Professor of Interaction and Industrial Design at the Savannah College of Art and Design, where he was instrumental in shaping the Interaction and Industrial Design undergraduate and graduate programs. Kolko sits on the Board of Directors for the Interaction Design Association (IxDA (http://www.ixda.org/)), and is the Editor-in-Chief of interactions magazine (http://interactions.acm.org/), published by the ACM.

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

Exposing the Magic of Design fits perfectly into a long-empty slot on the bookshelves of practitioners and students. His theory of synthesis will engage your brain six ways from Sunday, while the practical, actionable methods will change your process immediately. We have needed this book! Steve Portigal Principal, Portigal Consulting Structured in three logical parts - theory, business value, and practical guidelines - Kolko's book is a must-read for those looking for a clear explanation of how to move from design research to design solutions. Mark Vanderbeeken Senior Partner, Experientia .. .design students, practitioners of design in all disciplines dealing with product development, and business owners have much to gain from reading this volume. -- PsycCRITIQUES Exposing the Magic of Design fits perfectly into a long-empty slot on the bookshelves of practitioners and students. His theory of synthesis will engage your brain six ways from Sunday, while the practical, actionable methods will change your process immediately. We have needed this book! Steve Portigal Principal, Portigal Consulting Structured in three logical parts - theory, business value, and practical guidelines - Kolko's book is a must-read for those looking for a clear explanation of how to move from design research to design solutions. Mark Vanderbeeken Senior Partner, Experientia .. .design students, practitioners of design in all disciplines dealing with product development, and business owners have much to gain from reading this volume. -- PsycCRITIQUES