Project: Light Loom: Weaving the Threads of Design
Purpose: Design Process Model assignment for Dr. Erik Stolterman's Design Theory class
Team: Tim Bowman | Jasleen Kaur | Xiaohan Liu | Sarah Reeder | Xuan Wang
Duration: 3 weeks
Completed: Fall 2009
Methods: Literature review, applied theory, presentation

A design process model. For this group assignment, we were to use the theories studied in class and apply them in the form of a presentation to a design group. We chose to focus on a "client" group of designers of epistemological games. Using the metaphor of light, we present six threads that serve as lenses throughout the design process. These threads are Reflect, Evaluate, Develop, Document, Communicate, and Understand. By focusing on each, a cohesive design can be woven.

This was a challenging project for me, and I learned how difficult it can be to apply theory in practice. This top-down sort of approach was quite different from the grounded, user research based design I had been practicing the previous year. Perhaps this juxtaposition is why I find theory so fascinating. In practice, designers must simultaneously consider both the universal truths that theory attempts to illuminate, and the gritty reality of individual users for whom they are ultimately designing. From my work as a designer/programmer, I know how difficult it can be to see the practical advantages of and advocate for user research, let alone theory. I think more can be done to make these connections visible and usable.

Unfortunately Prezi seems to have changed a bit since we put this together, and it doesn't play as nicely as it used to. Hopefully you can still get the idea.