Against Ambiguity
Loading...
Fulltext URI
Document type
Text/Journal Article
Additional Information
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Springer
Abstract
This paper argues that the widespread beliefthat ambiguity is beneficial in designcommunication stems from conceptual confusion.Communicating imprecise, uncertain andprovisional ideas is a vital part of designteamwork, but what is uncertain and provisionalneeds to be expressed as clearly as possible.Understanding what uncertainty informationdesigners can and should communicate, and how,is an urgent task for research. Viewing designcommunication as conveying permitted spaces forfurther designing is a useful rationalisationfor understanding what designers need fromtheir notations and computer tools, to achieveclear communication of uncertain ideas. Thepaper presents a typology of ways that designscan be uncertain. It discusses how sketches andother representations of designs can be bothintrinsically ambiguous, and ambiguous ormisleading by failing to convey informationabout uncertainty and provisionality, withreference to knitwear design, wherecommunication using inadequate representationscauses severe problems. It concludes thatsystematic use of meta-notations for conveyingprovisionality and uncertainty can reduce theseproblems.
Description
Keywords
ambiguity, collaborative design, communication, knitwear, knowledge level, meta-notation, negotiation, sketching
Citation
URI
Collections
Endorsement
Review
Supplemented By
Referenced By
Number of citations to item: 55
- Yukio Ohsawa, Yoko Nishihara (2009): Niche of idea activations as source of social creativity: A finding from innovation game, In: 2009 IEEE International Conference on Systems, Man and Cybernetics, doi:10.1109/icsmc.2009.5346834
- Maud Poulin, Cédric Masclet, Jean-François Boujut (2024): Investigating the effects of spatial augmented reality on user participation in co-design sessions: A case study, In: Computers in Industry, doi:10.1016/j.compind.2023.104023
- Nathan Crilly (2024): Design Thinking and Other Approaches, doi:10.1017/9781009498685
- Willemien Visser (2006): Designing as Construction of Representations: A Dynamic Viewpoint in Cognitive Design Research, In: Human–Computer Interaction 1(21), doi:10.1207/s15327051hci2101_4
- Christian Johansson, Ben Hicks, Andreas C. Larsson, Marco Bertoni (2011): Knowledge Maturity as a Means to Support Decision Making during Product-Service Systems Development Projects in the Aerospace Sector, In: Project Management Journal 2(42), doi:10.1002/pmj.20218
- Julien Phalip, David Jean, Ernest Edmonds (2008): Resolving ambiguity of scope in remote collaboration, In: Proceedings of the 20th Australasian Conference on Computer-Human Interaction: Designing for Habitus and Habitat, doi:10.1145/1517744.1517817
- Patrizia Grifoni, Maria Chiara Caschera, Fernando Ferri (2020): Evaluation of a dynamic classification method for multimodal ambiguities based on Hidden Markov Models, In: Evolving Systems 2(12), doi:10.1007/s12530-020-09344-3
- Michael Poznic, Martin Stacey, Rafaela Hillerbrand, Claudia Eckert (2020): Designing as playing games of make-believe, In: Design Science, doi:10.1017/dsj.2020.8
- Tomás Flanagan, Claudia Eckert, P. John Clarkson (2007): Externalizing tacit overview knowledge: A model-based approach to supporting design teams, In: Artificial Intelligence for Engineering Design, Analysis and Manufacturing 3(21), doi:10.1017/s089006040700025x
- Jannick Kirk Sørensen (2017): Exploring Constrained Creative Communication, In: International Journal of E-Services and Mobile Applications 4(9), doi:10.4018/ijesma.2017100101
- Gaetano Cascini, Jamie O'Hare, Elies Dekoninck, Niccolo Becattini, Jean-François Boujut, Fatma Ben Guefrache, Iacopo Carli, Giandomenico Caruso, Lorenzo Giunta, Federico Morosi (2020): Exploring the use of AR technology for co-creative product and packaging design, In: Computers in Industry, doi:10.1016/j.compind.2020.103308
- Julien Phalip, Ernest A. Edmonds, David Jean (2009): Supporting remote creative collaboration in film scoring, In: Proceedings of the seventh ACM conference on Creativity and cognition, doi:10.1145/1640233.1640266
- Nathan Crilly (2021): The Evolution of “Co-evolution” (Part II): The Biological Analogy, Different Kinds of Co-evolution, and Proposals for Conceptual Expansion, In: She Ji: The Journal of Design, Economics, and Innovation 3(7), doi:10.1016/j.sheji.2021.07.004
- Leah Heiss (2020): Iterative Prototypes as ‘Boundary Objects’: Facilitating Interdisciplinary Collaboration of a Modular Hearing Aid, In: The Design Journal 6(23), doi:10.1080/14606925.2020.1824412
- Matilda Watz, Christian Johansson, Alessandro Bertoni, Sophie I. Hallstedt (2022): Investigating effects of group model building on sustainable design decision-making, In: Sustainable Production and Consumption, doi:10.1016/j.spc.2022.08.005
- Catherine Stones, Tom Cassidy (2010): Seeing and discovering: how do student designers reinterpret sketches and digital marks during graphic design ideation?, In: Design Studies 5(31), doi:10.1016/j.destud.2010.05.003
- Onur Hisarciklilar, Jean-François Boujut (2009): An annotation model to reduce ambiguity in design communication, In: Research in Engineering Design 3(20), doi:10.1007/s00163-009-0073-6
- Claudia Eckert, Anja Maier, Chris McMahon (2005): Communication in design, In: Design process improvement, doi:10.1007/978-1-84628-061-0_10
- Tomás Dorta, Edgar Pérez, Annemarie Lesage (2008): The ideation gap:, In: Design Studies 2(29), doi:10.1016/j.destud.2007.12.004
- Iestyn Jowers, Chris Earl (2014): Shape Interpretation with Design Computing, In: Design Computing and Cognition '12, doi:10.1007/978-94-017-9112-0_19
- Sumbul Khan, Bige Tunçer (2019): Speech analysis for conceptual CAD modeling using multi-modal interfaces: An investigation into Architects’ and Engineers’ speech preferences, In: Artificial Intelligence for Engineering Design, Analysis and Manufacturing 03(33), doi:10.1017/s0890060419000015
- Anders Barlach, Morten Hertzum, Jesper Simonsen (2013): Pilot Implementation Driven by Effects Specifications and Formative Usability Evaluation, In: Advances in Human and Social Aspects of Technology, doi:10.4018/978-1-4666-4046-7.ch010
- Amanda Smith, Rachelle Moore (2019): Digital Distortion Through Co-creation, In: Journal of Textile Design Research and Practice 3(8), doi:10.1080/20511787.2018.1524088
- Martin Stacey, Kristina Lauche (2005): Thinking and representing in design, In: Design process improvement, doi:10.1007/978-1-84628-061-0_9
- Iestyn Jowers, Christopher F. Earl (2015): Extending the Algebras of Design, In: Nexus Network Journal 3(17), doi:10.1007/s00004-015-0259-3
- J. T. Brinkmann, D. C. Wynn (2020): ASSESSING, AGGREGATING AND VISUALISING PRELIMINARY DESIGN INFORMATION MATURITY TO SUPPORT COLLABORATIVE DESIGN, In: Proceedings of the Design Society: DESIGN Conference, doi:10.1017/dsd.2020.65
- Claudia Eckert, Alan Blackwell, Martin Stacey, Christopher Earl, Luke Church (2012): Sketching across design domains: Roles and formalities, In: Artificial Intelligence for Engineering Design, Analysis and Manufacturing 3(26), doi:10.1017/s0890060412000133
- CHRISTIAN JOHANSSON (2014): MANAGING UNCERTAINTY AND AMBIGUITY IN GATES: DECISION MAKING IN AEROSPACE PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT, In: International Journal of Innovation and Technology Management 02(11), doi:10.1142/s0219877014500126
- Kevin Ta, Ehud Sharlin, Lora Oehlberg (2018): Bod-IDE, In: Proceedings of the 2018 ACM Conference Companion Publication on Designing Interactive Systems, doi:10.1145/3197391.3205408
- Benjamin W. Caldwell, Jonathan E. Thomas, Chiradeep Sen, Gregory M. Mocko, Joshua D. Summers (2012): The Effects of Language and Pruning on Function Structure Interpretability, In: Journal of Mechanical Design 6(134), doi:10.1115/1.4006442
- Eujin Pei, Ian R. Campbell, Mark A. Evans (2010): Development of a tool for building shared representations among industrial designers and engineering designers, In: CoDesign 3(6), doi:10.1080/15710882.2010.510197
- Gokula Vijaykumar Annamalai Vasantha, Amaresh Chakrabarti, Bijay Kumar Rout, Jonathan Corney (2013): Influences of design tools on the original and redesign processes, In: International Journal of Design Creativity and Innovation 1(2), doi:10.1080/21650349.2013.839076
- Ibon Serrano Lasa, Maitane Mazmela Etxabe, Itziar Ricondo Iriondo (2021): New application for sketching in a machine tool company, In: Journal of Engineering Design 1(33), doi:10.1080/09544828.2021.1976398
- Claudia Eckert, Ola Isaksson, Calandra Eckert, Mark Coeckelbergh, Malin Hane Hagström (2020): Data Fairy in Engineering Land: The Magic of Data Analysis as a Sociotechnical Process in Engineering Companies, In: Journal of Mechanical Design 12(142), doi:10.1115/1.4047813
- Claudia Eckert, Ola Isaksson, Malin Hane-Hagström, Calandra Eckert (2022): My Facts Are not Your Facts: Data Wrangling as a Socially Negotiated Process, A Case Study in a Multisite Manufacturing Company, In: Journal of Computing and Information Science in Engineering 6(22), doi:10.1115/1.4055953
- Graham Dove, Michael Mose Biskjaer, Caroline Lundqvist, Jeanette Falk Olesen, Kim Halskov (2017): Constraints and Ambiguity, In: Proceedings of the European Conference on Cognitive Ergonomics 2017, doi:10.1145/3121283.3121310
- Charlie Ranscombe, Katherine Bissett-Johnson, David Mathias, Boris Eisenbart, Ben Hicks (2019): Designing with LEGO: exploring low fidelity visualization as a trigger for student behavior change toward idea fluency, In: International Journal of Technology and Design Education 2(30), doi:10.1007/s10798-019-09502-y
- Claudia Eckert, Rafaela Hillerbrand (2022): Models in Engineering Design as Decision-Making Aids, In: Engineering Studies 2(14), doi:10.1080/19378629.2022.2129061
- Eujin Pei, Ian Campbell, Mark Evans (2011): A Taxonomic Classification of Visual Design Representations Used by Industrial Designers and Engineering Designers, In: The Design Journal 1(14), doi:10.2752/175630610x12877385838803
- Claudia Eckert, Ola Isaksson, Chris Earl (2019): Design margins: a hidden issue in industry, In: Design Science, doi:10.1017/dsj.2019.7
- Rachael Luck (2013): Articulating (mis)understanding across design discipline interfaces at a design team meeting, In: Artificial Intelligence for Engineering Design, Analysis and Manufacturing 2(27), doi:10.1017/s089006041300005x
- Anders Häggman, Geoff Tsai, Catherine Elsen, Tomonori Honda, Maria C. Yang (2015): Connections Between the Design Tool, Design Attributes, and User Preferences in Early Stage Design, In: Journal of Mechanical Design 7(137), doi:10.1115/1.4030181
- Claudia Eckert, Rafaela Hillerbrand (2018): Models in Engineering Design: Generative and Epistemic Function of Product Models, In: Design Research Foundations, doi:10.1007/978-3-319-73302-9_11
- Julien Phalip, Matthew Morphett, Ernest Edmonds (2007): Alleviating communication challenges in film scoring, In: Proceedings of the 19th Australasian conference on Computer-Human Interaction: Entertaining User Interfaces, doi:10.1145/1324892.1324895
- Tomás Dorta (2008): Design Flow and Ideation, In: International Journal of Architectural Computing 3(6), doi:10.1260/1478-0771.6.3.299
- Claudia Eckert, Martin Stacey, Christopher Earl (2013): Formality in design communication, In: Artificial Intelligence for Engineering Design, Analysis and Manufacturing 2(27), doi:10.1017/s0890060413000073
- DeLean Tolbert, Patrice M. Buzzanell, Carla B. Zoltowski, Antonette Cummings, Monica E. Cardella (2016): Giving and responding to feedback through visualisations in design critiques, In: CoDesign 1-2(12), doi:10.1080/15710882.2015.1135244
- Joyce Thomas, Megan Strickfaden (2018): From Industrial Design Education to Practice: Creating Discipline Through Design Sprints, In: Advances in Intelligent Systems and Computing, doi:10.1007/978-3-319-94601-6_13
- Gülşen Töre Yargin, Nathan Crilly (2015): Information and interaction requirements for software tools supporting analogical design, In: Artificial Intelligence for Engineering Design, Analysis and Manufacturing 2(29), doi:10.1017/s0890060415000074
- Maria Chiara Caschera, Fernando Ferri, Patrizia Grifoni (2013): InteSe: An Integrated Model for Resolving Ambiguities in Multimodal Sentences, In: IEEE Transactions on Systems, Man, and Cybernetics: Systems 4(43), doi:10.1109/tsmca.2012.2210407
- Rachael Luck (2010): Using objects to coordinate design activity in interaction, In: Construction Management and Economics 6(28), doi:10.1080/01446193.2010.489924
- Eric Blanco, Marie-Anne Le Dain (2007): ICT System Requirements in Collaborative Design with Suppliers, In: Advances in Integrated Design and Manufacturing in Mechanical Engineering II, doi:10.1007/978-1-4020-6761-7_13
- Christiane Rau, Anne-Katrin Neyer, Kathrin M. Möslein (2012): Innovation practices and their boundary-crossing mechanisms: a review and proposals for the future, In: Technology Analysis & Strategic Management 2(24), doi:10.1080/09537325.2012.647647
- Rachael Luck (2009): ‘Does this compromise your design?’ Interactionally producing a design concept in talk, In: CoDesign 1(5), doi:10.1080/15710880802492896
- Tomás Dorta, Annemarie Lesage, Edgar Pérez (2008): Point and sketch, In: Proceedings of the 20th Conference on l'Interaction Homme-Machine, doi:10.1145/1512714.1512739