The field of design goes far beyond merely designing objects : some projects involve investigation and the production of knowledge.

In this essay, Nicolas Nova discusses the main approaches designers use to observe, analyze and present their findings. The approaches to « design research » that he describes here combine social science protocols and designers' tools : drawings, prototypes and interfaces. These approaches could provide inspiration and useful techniques for practicing designers as well as design educators and students.

This book is also available in a range of open-access digital formats at www.head-geneve.ch