The role of game rules in architectural design environments

'Experimenting' and 'observing' are crucial actions in architectural design thinking. They rely heavily on the representation environment used (e.g. sketching, scale models, sketch tools, CAD tools, etc.) and the 'game rules' at play in these environments. In this brief paper, we study the role of this representation environment in the overall architectural design thinking process. From this brief study, we indicate two design and implementation approaches to implement and design with such game rules in virtual design environments

Optimal modeling for complex system design

The article begins with a brief introduction to the theory describing optimal data compression systems and their performance. A brief outline is then given of a representative algorithm that employs these lessons for optimal data compression system design. The implications of rate-distortion theory for practical data compression system design is then described, followed by a description of the tensions between theoretical optimality and system practicality and a discussion of common tools used in current algorithms to resolve these tensions. Next, the generalization of rate-distortion principles to the design of optimal collections of models is presented. The discussion focuses initially on data compression systems, but later widens to describe how rate-distortion theory principles generalize to model design for a wide variety of modeling applications. The article ends with a discussion of the performance benefits to be achieved using the multiple-model design algorithms

William Paley

A brief introduction to the life and work of William Paley, including a discussion of the structure of his famous design argument

Fully Casualized Design: A Brief Literary Review

The term experimental design is characterized by the manner in which the portions are distributed in a given experiment. The completely randomized design is the most commonly used among experimental designs because the principles of randomization and repetition provide authenticity of the conclusions due to guarantee that the experimental units (plots), even if distinct and exhibit equal probability of being distributed to the groups. It is widely used in experiments have uniform conditions as the experimental conditions are critical in obtaining a good experimental design. It offers a wide experimental application, but must pay attention to the test, that even homogeneous, can present experimental conditions that will harm the experiment. So in order to get a good design, an early collection of information to evaluate the homogeneity of the experimental conditions is critical. This study is a literature review on the DIC, with their main characteristics, mathematical modeling, analysis of variance technique (ANOVA) and analysis of assumptions for ANOVA

Greening the design brief

Front End Innovation is a hot research topic, but there is still little research done on its relationship to design for sustainability. This paper explores the challenges of integrating environmental sustainability in this early stages of an innovation process and the design brief. The study is based on a content analysis of 35 design briefs from Belgian SMEs and multinationals, and a practitioners session with representatives from 14 Belgian companies. This results indicate a limited uptake of sustainability in Belgian design briefs. Furthermore, it argues that the use of certain strategies, such as front-loading, pushing sustainability upstream in the briefing process and sustainability opportunity identification in the front end, could help in greening the design brief

Utilizing FM software in collaborative design-learning

In this paper, we describe a case study of computer-supported collaborative learning in design using OpenLearn FlashMeeting software, a video conferencing tool. This 6-week experiment, involving Open University students and staff, aimed at exploring the capabilities of FlashMeeting software to support several phases of the design process including formulating a design brief, discovering user requirements, setting design specifications, concept generation, design embodiment and implementation of proposed concepts. We conclude this paper with lessons learned from using FlashMeeting in a design e-learning project

Utilising Flash Meeting software in collaborative design-learning

In this paper, we describe a case study of computer-supported collaborative learning in design using FM (FlashMeeting), a Web-based video-conferencing tool offered freely on OpenLearn. This 6-week experiment, involving Open University students and staff, aimed to explore the capabilities of FM software to support several phases of the design process including formulating a design brief, discovering user requirements, setting design specifications, concept generation, design embodiment and implementation of proposed concepts. We conclude this paper with lessons learned from using FM in a design e-learning project

Enhancing Creativity in Interaction Design: Alternative Design Brief

This paper offers a critique of the design brief as it is currently used in teaching interaction design and proposes an alternative way of developing it. Such a design brief requires the exploration of alternative application domains for an already developed technology. The paper presents a case study where such a novel type of design brief has been offered to the students taking part in a collaborative design project and discusses how it supported divergent thinking and creativity as well as helped enhancing the learning objectives

Long-Term Care Partnership Expansion: A New Opportunity for States

An issue brief intended to inform states about new long-term care options through the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005. Reviews the Partnership for Long-Term Care program and presents design and implementation issues for states' consideration

Network support for integrated design

A framework of network support for utilization of integrated design over the Internet has been developed. The techniques presented also applicable for Intranet/Extranet. The integrated design system was initially developed for local application in a single site. With the network support, geographically dispersed designers can collaborate a design task through out the total design process, quickly respond to clients’ requests and enhance the design argilty. In this paper, after a brief introduction of the integrated design system, the network support framework is presented, followed by description of two key techniques involved: Java Saverlet approach for remotely executing a large program and online CAD collaboration