DesignThe.ory: How does design theory inform design practice? — Visit project website »
DesignThe.ory was created in response to a question: in what ways can design theory inform design practice? It was a question asked of me as part of the course criteria for my Masters, and one of our first assignments. I had arrogantly assumed that the answer would be easy given I am nerdy, bookish and love theory. But I underestimated the scope of the question. And every week when I presented what I thought was an answer, more questions arose. What I initially thought was an easy question become quite unanswerable.
Firstly, theory is a completely abstract notion. In my mind, I can rationalise theory as being historic and technical — all skills are measured by our ability to apply them within an established context (or by breaking the established rules). But in another designer’s mind, theory is completely rational and unchangeable. And in another designer’s mind, theory is about geometry and mathematics. And in another designer’s mind, theory is psychology and colour. And in another designer’s mind, theory is being able to recite all the web safe fonts in alphabetical order.
