Participant Observation Can Discover Design Patterns in Parametric Modeling (2007)
article⁄Participant Observation Can Discover Design Patterns in Parametric Modeling (2007)
abstract⁄Our research aims to understand the midlevel patterns of work that recur across designers and tasks. Our users comprise active architects and civil engineers. The hypothesis is that making such patterns explicit will result in improved expert work practices, in better learning material and suggestions for improvements in parametric design. The literature shows that patterns express design work at a tactical level, above simple editing and below overall conception. We conducted a user experience study based on Bentley’s GenerativeComponents, in which geometry can be related, transformed, generated, and manipulated parametrically within a userdefined framework. After interviewing the system’s chief, we ran a participantobserver study in the January 2007 SmartGeometry workshop. We engaged designers through the role of tutor and simultaneously observed and discussed their design process. We found clear evidence of designers using patterns in the process and discerned several previously unknown patterns. In February at another 10day workshop, we found more evidence supporting prior findings. The paper demonstrates that participant observation can be an efficient method of collecting patterns about designers’ work and introduces such new patterns. We believe these patterns may help designers work at more creative levels and may suggest new ideas of interest to CAD application developers.
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| Year |
2007 |
| Authors |
Qian, Cheryl Z.; Chen, Victor Y.; Woodbury, Robert. |
| Issue |
Expanding Bodies: Art Cities Environment |
| Pages |
230-241 |
| Library link |
Brian Lilley & Philip Beesley, 2007. bib⁄Expanding Bodies: Art - Cities - Environment. Riverside Architectural Press and Tuns Press. |
| Entry filename |
participant-observation-can-discover-design-patterns |
