Reviewing Practice-Based Design Research—The Pursuit of a Disciplinary Destination

Abstract

Bloomsbury Publishing describes Practice-Based Design Research as “a companion to master’s and PhD programs in design research through practice.” But the companionship offered is one where many conflicting perspectives, presented as replicable methods, are uncomfortably woven into a tradition that has often found its strength in isolated moments of genius. This volume includes chapters that move design toward the synthesis of theory and artifact. Even so, core claims fall short on many points, especially when authors rush to find solutions without support from evidence. These inconsistencies seem to reflect external demands, which the authors suggest are not impossible to overcome. Keywords: Design, Practice-based design research, Design PhD, Contextual inquiry, Designerly way