CRITICAL THEORY – FINAL
By Stevie Wikingi
Theory is critical to design for aiding the production of finding effective solutions to design problems. Theory greatly enhances the professional practice of a designer as it serves to streamline the research process.
Creating design theory will help the purpose of design as it continually evolves and adapts to becomes more influential and involved in many areas and facets of everyday life.
Designers must have a conscious understanding of the environment and the impact & influence their designs may have on it, whether good or bad.
Design is a goal oriented practice which is helped along with good research methods which aid the designer in completing the process of design. That is precisely why theory helps the designer become the researcher and grasp the scope and all factors which may need to be addressed to find the better solution. Often design is not finished after finding the initial solution, but because it is a process it can starts over again to meet changing needs.
Design gives a solution to a problem. The designer must take into consideration the needs of the end user to offer the best solution. This process of testing, refining, redefining and adjusting a product to suit the appropriate user is invaluable information. It helps to better understand the target audience and its needs. Design can be creating something new or useful. It affects almost every sphere of daily life. Its influence continues to change and influence the way in which we conduct our lives, socially, financially technologically. Designers have a lot of responsibility and it is wise to do adequate research, use existing theory and contribute to this pool of knowledge and ideas to improve satisfaction in resulting designs.
The broader field of design include:
• Natural Sciences
• Humanities and Liberal Arts
• Social Behavioural Sciences
• Human Professions and Services
• Creative and Applied Arts
• Technology and Engineering
Design involves creativity, lateral thinking, and the use of systematic research & inquiry methods to find best solutions. It is often based around a need and is usually deemed to be good by according to the solution it provides.
Poor design is often a result of poor research, poor research methods, lack of time, lack of motivation, poor time management or a lack of interest. This is why research and theory are to be highly valued. They assist the process so greatly.
Creativity is another essential element in the process of design. All good design has to be done using some element of creative input. Creativity can be defined simply as the act of creating. To a musician it is the task of composing a beautiful melodious string of sounds. To an artist it is beautifully & painstakingly, hand crafting a painted masterpiece. He pours his heart and soul into it, and we enjoy and admire the final result. Creativity for the designer is the same. It is awesome. It is simple. It is having fun & enjoying the process.
Creativity though, must be harnessed and used in conjunction with the other five hats as proposed by De Bono, 85. A designer must not forget to meet the project deadline, its requirements and fulfil the purpose for which the design is being created.
Theory is therefore crucial for the future of design as a professional practice. Designers need to understand how things work and why they do or don’t work, to better improve them and find better solutions. Theory & research help and aid in better, efficient, creative, & fulfilling design practice for both the designer and the user of.
