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Designing History and the History of Design

Summary of the impact

History of design research at University of Brighton (UoB) has pioneered new methods of analysis and practices of interpretation to transform understandings of how design is produced, marketed and consumed. Firstly, it has changed the ways in which international organisations representing the design professions regard and value their history. Secondly, it has shaped the study and public appreciation of the history of design worldwide, and it has determined the kind of design that is collected and displayed. Thirdly, UoB has become an international nucleus for training researchers in design history, and thus partner of choice for design organisations and designers seeking expert stewardship and research-led promotion of their archives.

Submitting Institution

University of Brighton

Unit of Assessment

Art and Design: History, Practice and Theory

Summary Impact Type

Societal

Research Subject Area(s)

Language, Communication and Culture: Cultural Studies
History and Archaeology: Curatorial and Related Studies, Historical Studies

Designing for Emotional Durability

Summary of the impact

CHAPMAN's research into emotionally durable design has radically shifted the values and practices of global businesses, helping them to cut waste and to enhance product, material and brand value. Through publications, exhibitions, master-classes and films, this research has transformed understanding of sustainable design in professional (Puma, Sony), policy (House of Lords, UN) and cultural (Design Museum, New Scientist) settings, propelling the field beyond its focus on energy and materials, towards deeper engagements that link psychosocial phenomena with ideas about consumption and waste. Furthermore, it has contributed to public debate and policy with the effect that the term `emotional durability' has now entered the international design lexicon, providing valuable shorthand for complex phenomena influencing product longevity.

Submitting Institution

University of Brighton

Unit of Assessment

Art and Design: History, Practice and Theory

Summary Impact Type

Societal

Research Subject Area(s)

Studies In Human Society: Anthropology
Studies In Creative Arts and Writing: Visual Arts and Crafts

Design thinking

Summary of the impact

Design thinking has benefited the economic performance of business and particularly the creative industries, changed awareness of design in everyday life, and informed public policy. Users and consumers have benefited from wider understanding of the genesis of products and services and effects on their quality of life. Design thinking research has been instrumental in forming a new business sector that provides design thinking expertise as consultancy. It has changed the processes of designers and design practices, and fed into UK design education policy. Design thinking has crossed discipline boundaries; for example framing new methods and processes in software engineering.

Submitting Institution

Open University

Unit of Assessment

Art and Design: History, Practice and Theory

Summary Impact Type

Technological

Research Subject Area(s)

Built Environment and Design: Design Practice and Management
Education: Curriculum and Pedagogy, Specialist Studies In Education

Inclusive design

Summary of the impact

The i~design research programme, which has been running in the University of Cambridge Department of Engineering (DoEng) since 2000, sought to understand population diversity in order to better inform design decisions for mainstream everyday products and services. Impact from this programme, since 2008, includes: skills embedded in companies through direct training of over 280 designers and design managers from industry; direct involvement in the improved design of more than 10 new products and services that have gone into production; educational resources for teaching Design and Technology trialled in nine secondary schools; over 800 wearable impairment simulators sold; and extensive web-based guidance, methods and tools for inclusive design accessed in over 170 countries.

Submitting Institution

University of Cambridge

Unit of Assessment

General Engineering

Summary Impact Type

Technological

Research Subject Area(s)

Information and Computing Sciences: Information Systems
Built Environment and Design: Design Practice and Management
Education: Specialist Studies In Education

Critical Design at the Royal College of Art and its impact on design and the public understanding of science

Summary of the impact

Dunne, Raby, and their colleagues' research into Critical Design at the Royal College of Art (RCA) since 1997 has influenced the methods and ideas of design practice through inclusion in major design exhibitions, conferences, expert collaboration with companies, and coverage in the press, TV and film. Moreover, it has had impact on cultural life and public discourse, by enhancing public understanding of major issues and challenges posed by science and technology for individuals and society, through design research and exhibitions in major international museums, and inclusion in public museum collections.

Submitting Institution

Royal College of Art

Unit of Assessment

Art and Design: History, Practice and Theory

Summary Impact Type

Societal

Research Subject Area(s)

Studies In Creative Arts and Writing: Film, Television and Digital Media
Language, Communication and Culture: Cultural Studies

Aynsley China Research and Impact via Flux Stoke on Trent

Summary of the impact

In late 2010 Professor Sanderson decided to form the Flux ceramics spin-out company at Staffordshire University in order to exploit a significant market gap he had discovered via his KTP research project for Aynsley China Ltd., Stoke-on-Trent. Flux has been able to exploit the market gap discovered in a way that Aynsley China was unwilling to pursue. Flux has produced cutting edge ceramic tableware design that has been successful in terms of both sales and recognition as a valuable contribution to contemporary tableware design. Flux won the Home and Gardens Design Award in 2012.

Submitting Institution

Staffordshire University

Unit of Assessment

Art and Design: History, Practice and Theory

Summary Impact Type

Technological

Research Subject Area(s)

Built Environment and Design: Design Practice and Management

Improving the design of health care facilities for people with neural disabilities

Summary of the impact

Research at Kingston University led by Hilary Dalke has established the beneficial effects of colour design for application in long-term health care environments for people with neural disabilities. This work has led to the development of spatial design principles for improving the experience of service users, patients and staff.

Through her consultancy work with architectural firms, individual NHS hospitals, mental health units, independent charities and healthcare furniture and equipment suppliers such as Hill-Rom, Dalke has influenced their understanding of the issues involved, leading to improved design in hospitals, care homes and day centres, with consequent benefits for patients, staff and visitors in four institutions.

Submitting Institution

Kingston University

Unit of Assessment

Art and Design: History, Practice and Theory

Summary Impact Type

Societal

Research Subject Area(s)

Medical and Health Sciences: Nursing, Public Health and Health Services

Inclusive Design: Royal College of Art research creates significant, far-reaching impact in design, industry and education

Summary of the impact

A sustained programme of research at the Royal College of Art (RCA) since 1994, led by Coleman, Myerson and Bichard, has played a leading role in the emergence of Inclusive Design within design, industry and education, defining its theoretical principles and developing relevant real-world practice tools and business case studies. This research had made an impact in four key areas: it has influenced the public discourse and the ethics and methods of the design profession; contributed to national policymaking for older and disabled people; enabled economic prosperity through development of new products and services; and supported advances in design education.

Submitting Institution

Royal College of Art

Unit of Assessment

Art and Design: History, Practice and Theory

Summary Impact Type

Societal

Research Subject Area(s)

Built Environment and Design: Design Practice and Management

The Influence of WIRAD’s Design Policy Unit on the Design Innovation Policies of Wales, the UK and the European Union

Summary of the impact

The Design Policy Group has directly influenced the design innovation policies of the UK and EU Governments since 2008. We will evidence a clear link between the unit's research and the EU's 2010 `Innovation Union' policy and 2013 Action Plan, demonstrate that they provided important underpinnings for the Welsh Government's 2013 `Innovation Strategy for Wales' and that the group directly engaged in the UK's Design and Innovation Policy debate through invited membership of a House of Lord's Select Committee.

[Throughout this template, references to underpinning research are numbered 1-6; sources to corroborate are numbered 7-15]

Submitting Institutions

Cardiff Metropolitan University,University of Wales, Trinity Saint David

Unit of Assessment

Art and Design: History, Practice and Theory

Summary Impact Type

Political

Research Subject Area(s)

Studies In Human Society: Policy and Administration

V&A Dundee-Design, Industry and the Cultural Economy

Summary of the impact

Professor Follett's research in craft, design and business, developed through the AHRC-funded Past-Present-Future-Craft-Practice project[2,7], has identified the need for a national design centre. This research has led to the development of the V&A Dundee concept, a £45m centre for design opening 2016/17.

Follett established Design-in-Action, Knowledge Exchange Hub delivering an innovation network, with 450 SMEs and six new products by September 2013, creating a sustainable investment portfolio and "a model of innovation for the sector" — quote by the AHRC.

Impacts of this research consist of:

  • the conceptualisation, fundraising and establishment of a major new cultural centre for design;
  • increased public engagement with design;
  • innovative forms of assistance to SMEs.

Submitting Institution

University of Dundee

Unit of Assessment

Art and Design: History, Practice and Theory

Summary Impact Type

Cultural

Research Subject Area(s)

Studies In Human Society: Policy and Administration
Studies In Creative Arts and Writing: Film, Television and Digital Media

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