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Article Information:
Title:
Cybernetics and service-craft: language for behavior-focused design
Author(s):
Hugh Dubberly, Paul Pangaro
Journal:
Year:
2007
Volume:
Issue:
Page:
1301 - 1317
ISSN:
0368-492X
DOI:
10.1108/03684920710827319
Publisher:
Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Document Access:
Abstract:
Purpose – This paper aims to describe relationships between cybernetics and design, especially service design, which is a component of service-craft; to frame cybernetics as a language for design, especially behavior-focused design.
Design/methodology/approach – The material in this paper was developed for a course on cybernetics and design. Work began by framing material on cybernetics in terms of models. As the course progressed, the relevance of the models to design became clearer. A first focus was on applying the models to describe human-computer interaction; later another focus emerged, viewing cybernetic processes as analogs for design processes. These observations led to a review of the history of design methods and design rationale.
Findings – The paper argues that design practice has moved from hand-craft to service-craft and that service-craft exemplifies a growing focus on systems within design practice. It also proposes cybernetics as a source for practical frameworks that enable understanding of dynamic systems, including specific interactions, larger systems of service, and the activity of design itself. It also shows that development of first- and second-generation design methods parallels development of first- and second-generation cybernetics. Finally, it argues that design is essentially political, frames design as conversation, and proposes cybernetics as a language for design and a foundation of a broad design education.
Research limitations/implications – The paper suggests opportunities for more research on the historical relationship between cybernetics and design methods, and design research on modeling user goals.
Practical implications – The paper offers tools for understanding and managing the complicated communities of systems that designers increasingly face.
Originality/value – The paper suggests models useful for practicing designers and proposes changes to design education.
Keywords:
Cybernetics, Design methods, Interaction design, Politics, Service
Article Type:
General review