Prototyping across the Disciplines: Designing Better Futures

To work together on projects, people from different fields need to understand each other. This can be achieved through common ground in the attempts to create inventive knowledge. Prototyping is an important tool in various areas, and this book collects current theories and methods of prototyping in a dozen disciplines. It provides a context, theoretical framework, and set of methodologies for interdisciplinary collaboration in design. Contributions are from scholars with worldwide experience, and the book is of interest to design scholars and practitioners, undergraduates and graduate students, and HCI and the digital humanities.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 292 pages
Publication date: 17 September 2021
Publisher: Intellect Books

Collaboration between individuals from diverse fields is essential for successful project execution. Language barriers, work styles, and thought processes can often divide them. However, there is a common ground in the pursuit of innovative knowledge across many domains. These fields advance by gaining a deeper understanding of the present and making educated guesses about potential future scenarios. These predictions are realized through various approaches, including learning through making, research through design, and prototyping.

Prototyping, traditionally associated with industrial design and software development, has now become a valuable tool in a wide range of disciplines, including materials engineering, landscape architecture, and the digital humanities. This book aims to provide a comprehensive overview of prototyping techniques and methodologies across a dozen fields. It showcases real-world case studies from both industry and academia, illustrating the practical applications of prototyping in various contexts.

The edited collection in this book seeks to establish a framework for interdisciplinary collaboration in design. Each chapter offers a distinct disciplinary perspective on prototyping, providing a comparative analysis of current practices. Contributions come from scholars with extensive experience in design, hailing from Canada, the United States, Chile, and Brazil. The book goes beyond discussing design across disciplines and delves into the specific ways prototyping functions within different fields.

Prototyping is a vital component of the design process, enabling creators to explore and refine their ideas through tangible representations. It allows for rapid experimentation, feedback, and iteration, leading to the development of more effective and innovative solutions. By embracing prototyping across disciplines, researchers and practitioners can break down barriers, foster collaboration, and create a more inclusive and sustainable design ecosystem.

Weight: 596g
Dimension: 171 x 244 x 23 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781789381801