Design Process Principles
Spiral Design / the ability of a design to emerge through a logical sequence of different versions, where each version is a richer and more practical and efficient realization of the ideal
Appreciative critique / the assessment of an existing or considered design's strength and descriptions of elements and functions we would also like to see incorporated into the design
Fusion / the both-and (vs. either-or) intention to incorporate conflicting or opposing elements or functions in a design
Creative tension / designing versions of a design while still having unresearched or undecided ambiguities and uncertainties
User stories / detailed descriptions of how users expect and desire to use a design in the future
Diverse designers / the value of designers who represent diverse expertise, disciplines, constituencies, use, and perspectives
Transparency (aka trustworthiness) / the willingness of designers to make evident their respective agendas, dreams, assets, and constraints
Idea funnels / the larger the funnel of possible ideas into the process, the greater the quality of ideas that evolve from the process
Research / the designer's willingness to inspire designs with historical, current practice, and metaphor related research
Biomimicry / using functionally related examples in nature to design for better functionality, durability, or efficiency in build/use/reuse
Reality-based decisions / the willingness to base design decisions on facts and data rather than
unresearched assumptions
Constraints / the conditions, elements, variables, and requirements that cannot or must not change (the "sacreds")
Dream Space / the multiple versions of desired futures starting at least 20 years (one generation) out
Impermanence / designing in anticipation of inevitable change, error, failure, disuse, or obsolescence
10-time author and designer with a focus on change in organizations and communities. HappinessChoice.com. Contact Jack at jack(at)happinesschoice(dot)com