Week 48, Reflections

The theme of this week was design research. The design research is made on the annotation’s basis and shows the algorithm and its stages. The design can be presented as a chart or table. The design which is based on the prototypes can be called ‘design on the prototypes’. The prototype is a special organization of the material design.

 It includes a variety of thinking, forms of communication, the means and instruments of activity, knowledge, techniques, subjects, etc. We can arrange a variety of activities with the prototypes. The prototype contains the necessary tools and representation techniques of the object. These tools and object are connected and coordinated with each other in the prototype boards. The work of many design and research institutions built on the typological principle. At present, any area of design has a complex set of prototypes. They organized into special typological system. The prototype organizes the design research. The designers have in mind not concrete objects but certain universal prototypes. In this regard, we can imagine how great and diverse functions in modern design research are. If successful, an expert with the help of knowledge engineer expands knowledge of the prototype in the problem area. In case of failure, it may need to develop a new prototype. Developers can come to a conclusion about the suitability or unsuitability of the prototypes for the application. Along with the increase of knowledge the prototype can reach a point where it successfully solves all problem of the application. The dynamic development of the day leads to the fact that there are not any prototypes for certain tasks in modern design. This requires the implementation of new proposals in project practice. The cost of these implementation is high and requires changes in the design. Prototypes set basis and provide the requirements imposed to them by consumers and social customers, production and design.

Professor Haibo Li gave a lecture this week. His explanations were accompanied by the use of animation and media technologies. Many of his ideas and examples gave a fresh look at the process of creation and research of subjects. In particular, the complex issues were explained with simple facts and the incomprehensible became apparent. For example, the expression 'do things right' and 'do the right things' together form a prototype demonstrates success. Or the expression 'we are all blind' confirmed with clear examples that made me think about that people might not be aware to see all that exists and functions.

At the seminar we discussed articles which use research methods and design. All the participants were divided into several mini groups. Each mini group chose one article for discussion. The whole research process from article was made and shown schematically in Power Point. Then, all group members discussed the articles which were itroduced by mini groups. It was interesting to take part in discussions and work in a mini group. In my view, such discussions can help to quickly understand the research methods and create the objective presentation of the course material.