The Cognitive Artifacts of Designing

Offering a review and synthesis of empirical research and theoretical discussion of design as cognitive activity, this work reconciles and integrates the classical view of design, as conceptualized by Herbert Simon's symbolic information processing approach, with views of design such as the situativity approach, as formulated by Donald Schon.

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In this dynamic review and synthesis of empirical research and theoretical discussion of design as cognitive activity, Willemien Visser reconciles and integrates the classical view of design, as conceptualized by Herbert Simon's symbolic information processing approach, with modern views of design such as the situativity approach, as formulated by Donald Schön. The author goes on to develop her own view on design, in which design is most appropriately characterized as a construction of representations.

The Cognitive Artifacts of Designing takes seriously the idea that design research warrants development in the cognitive sciences, and Visser lays the groundwork for the integration of design research and cognitive science. This seemingly simple framework -- designing is the construction of representations -- has implications that set the stage for this mutually beneficial integration.

This volume will be of great interest to scholars concerned with design -- not only in cognitive design studies, but also in design methodology and engineering -- as well as cognitive scientists who are interested in problem solving in 'the real world.' Cognitive ergonomists and design practitioners will also be richly rewarded by a close reading of this volume.