ASSIGNMENT: Research, ponder, write about your areas of influence and where you fit. Design a map of this exploration showing your sphbteres of influence.

PROCESS: I began by trying to map where I felt certain design research belonged in four areas: academy, design industry, corporate world, mass public. I found projects and writings that interested me based on the topic or method. After mapping these and discussing this with others the I found interest in research that bridged gaps between these areas. My paper became a both a discourse of my thoughts and a display of the process of finding my

interests. I attached all of my sketches, notes and diagrams as appendices. I created a series of questions that as guidelines for my design research projects.

MEANING: I found an interest in design research that crossed over the usual boundaries of communication and continued to have influence beyond the initial impact. For instance, projects by designers that address the public directly rather than through a corporation seem to have a greater ability to influence succeeding design projects and processes. Research should be used as a method to raise the right questions rather than to solve problems.

DOWNLOAD PDF: "Spheres of Influence"

An exercise of discovery in design research. An exploration of what design research is to me. What my influences are and where I feel I fit in. What are my interests and what is my plan?