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by Neville Jr. Songwe (Author), Carmen Andrisani (Author)
Welcome to the second volume of "An Industrial Design Guide: Understanding the science of design research." A focused exploration of how industrial designers think, research, and act within complex and evolving contexts. This volume positions design research not as a secondary or purely academic exercise, but as a core driver of insight, innovation, and responsible decision-making in contemporary industrial design practice. Today's industrial designers operate at the intersection of human experience, technology, culture, business, and sustainability. Navigating these layered realities requires more than creative instinct alone. It demands structured ways of investigating problems, understanding people, and translating insight into meaningful, viable outcomes. This book responds to that need by presenting design research as an iterative, designer-centered process that connects thinking, making, and reflection into a cohesive practice.
The volume is organized into six interconnected parts that together form a comprehensive research-driven framework. Part One establishes the foundations of design thinking and research, examining creative, critical, strategic, and systems-based modes of thought while positioning design itself as a valid form of inquiry. Part Two introduces a hierarchy of design research, clarifying how methods evolve from early exploration to validation and implementation. Part Three focuses on problem framing and inquiry, emphasizing techniques for translating research into clear design opportunities through scenarios, prototyping, and iteration. Part Four deepens engagement with users through human-centered research, including ergonomics, personas, journeys, and interaction analysis. Part Five explores product design research areas such as culture, markets, aesthetics, branding, and speculative futures. Part Six grounds creativity in reality by addressing materials, manufacturing, sustainability, engineering feasibility, and collaboration.
This book is not supplemental reading. It is a working reference for industrial designers, written to support you from studio coursework through thesis and into professional practice. Unlike books that isolate skills or theory, it integrates research, problem framing, and industry-aligned workflows into clear, usable frameworks. You will return to it not to memorize content, but to structure research, validate ideas, articulate intent, and strengthen how you think, work, and communicate as a designer.
