Recherché-creation en design : modèles pour une pratique expérimentale

CreaSearch is a research initiated by Lysianne Lechot Hirt and Magdalena Gerber aiming at proposing satisfying models of creation based research in design. Creation in design is to be understood as a specific, unexpected and prospective answer to complex problems; creation in design is different from conception, in the sense that it focuses on the aesthetic and critical quality of the answers (or prototypes or products), but it also is different from artistic creation (Moles, 1970, Steiner, 2001), in the sense that design is linked to a production-consumption system that cannot be confused or compared to the art world. CreaSearch is based on a three-step enquiry (close examination of the art and design research literature, quantitative enquiry by email questionnaires to Art and Design Schools worldwide and qualitative interviews with senior researchers active in research creation). Mapping how research creation is understood and practiced provides a pragmatic context for developing research models that are methodologically acceptable for designers focused on a creative activity and for the international design research community. Theoretically focused on project-based research (Findeli, 2007), CreaSearch examines how and to what extent creative projects can be relevant to research. Zellweger’s work was chosen as example of paradigmatic model of Creation-based research. The interview took place in March 2008.

Other Senior Researchers taken into analysis were: Thomas Froehlicher, Directeur d’ARTEM, partnership in art, thecnology and syniergies between art and design schools, Nancy. Jean-Paul Fourmentraux, Sociologist, Paris. Catherine Quéloz & Liliane Schneiter, Heads of programme studies, Critical Curatorial Cybermedia (CCC) at HEAD, Geneva. Florian Dombois, Directeur of Y Interdisciplinary Institut at the University of the Arts, Bern. Anthony Dunne and Fiona Raby, London. Presentations of the project: "ateliers de la recherche en design" à l'Université de Nancy (F). (23 May 2007) / “Virtù” research group at the 'Université de Nîmes (F) (9th October 2007). 4e symposium ("FOCUSED" – Current design research projects and methods) du Swiss Design Network à Berne (CH) (30th May 2008). “The Sensuous Knowledge conference 2008”, Bergen, (N) (24th-26th septembre 2008).

Publication: “Creasearch - Methodologies and Models for Creation-based Research Projects in Design” in "FOCUSED" - Current Design Research Projects and Methods. Publication papers Swiss Design Network Symposium, 30th 31st March 2008 Mount Gurten, Bern. (p.149 - 163).