Design as mediation

Through a case study this paper discusses the role and value of design as interdisciplinary interpreter and translator of research to industry. Focused in the area of industrial design and bioforensic science the study has led to patented and industrially licensed outcomes. Of significance in this study is how design practice acted both within and interfaced with academic research. This interdisciplinary project was delivered by product design practitioners, engineering researchers and bio-medical researchers. The study shows how in these settings design engagement in scientific research can bring about benefits that include tangible manifestations of research toward industry acceptance and how design can be used to help validate scientific research itself. The paper describes how the research was conducted, how design worked beyond ‘skill’ delivery and how we may exploit ‘design thinking’ and its significance in shaping and directing basic research itself; “…moving design from a problem solving activity to a question asking activity” (Gwilt 2011). Arguably, such engagements empower the design community to ask ‘what’ as well as ‘how’ should we be designing. Finally, the paper makes the conceptual argument that we may be able to capitalise on university based research expertise to a greater extent where commissioning agents, industry, and academia deploy design practice as a ‘horizontal’ rather than a ‘vertical’ discipline.