Constructing shared professional vision in design work: the role of visual objects and their material mediation

Comi, Alice; Jaradat, Suha; Whyte, Jennifer

Abstract

The design process requires coordination between professions that have different ways of seeing. Using ethnographic data from a building project, this paper explores how architects and engineers mobilize visual objects to coordinate their professional visions around a design issue. The findings articulate the visual practices whereby design professionals move from a fragmented towards a shared professional vision. In this move, they cease looking at the design issue from within their disciplinary perspective, and begin taking inspiration from each other’s. They further adjust the emergent shared professional vision, by iteratively narrowing and broadening its focus. The paper contributes to the practice perspective in design studies, explaining how different ways of seeing are coordinated through practical engagement with visual objects.

Citation

Comi, A., Jaradat, S., & Whyte, J. (2019). Constructing shared professional vision in design work: the role of visual objects and their material mediation. Design Studies, 64, 90-123. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.destud.2019.06.003

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Jun 28, 2019
• Online Publication Date: Sep 11, 2019
• Publication Date: 2019-09
• Deposit Date: Sep 16, 2019
• Publicly Available Date: Sep 12, 2020
• Print ISSN: 0142-694X
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 64
• Pages: 90-123
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.destud.2019.06.003
• Keywords: Architectural design, engineering design, design practice, built environment, visual practices.
• Public URL: http://researchrepository.napier.ac.uk/Output/2133277