Towards a relational framework of design

Abstract

The evolution of design has seen shifts towards more co-creation-based practice. This is not an entirely new development, as there has been a growing recognition and adoption of user-centred themes and terms such as co-design and human-centred design, among others. The ways of ‘doing’ such practices are becoming well-documented and presented through various tools and techniques; however, what kind of ‘being’ supports this? The paper reviews indigenous research methodologies (IRM) to propose the dimensions of a more relational framework of design. It reviews the 4Rs of indigenous research methodologies to propose five areas (expanded into eight dimensions) for a more relational framework of design. These dimensions can also support a way of ‘being’ that can guide the approach towards more co-creative thought and practice when ‘doing’ design. These dimensions can further support efforts to understand and to develop approaches that respond to the decolonisation and indigenisation of the design process.

Die evolusie van ontwerp toon skuiwe na meer sameskeppingspraktyke. Dit is nie opsigself ʼn nuwe ontwikkeling nie, omdat daar ʼn toenemende erkenning en aanneming van gebruikgesentreerde temas en terminologie soos ‘co-design’ en ‘human-centred design’ ontstaan het. Die benadering tot sulke praktyke word al hoe beter gedokumenteer en aangebied via verskillende platforms en tegnieke. Hierdie artikel bestudeer inheemse navorsingsmetodologieë om die dimensies van ʼn meer verhoudingsgerigte ontwerpsraamwerk voor te stel. Die vier R’e van inheemse navorsingsmetodologieë word gebruik om vyf areas (uitgebrei tot agt dimensies) van ʼn meer verhoudingsgerigte ontwerpsraamwerk voor te stel. Hierdie dimensie ondersteun ook ʼn benadering tot meer sameskeppende denkprosesse en praktyke wanneer daar ontwerp word. Hierdie dimensies dra by om die dekolonialisering en inheemsmaking van die ontwerpproses te verstaan en verder te ontwikkel.