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Research through Design

Research through Design (RtD) is a methodology where you generate knowledge by creating and reflecting on prototypes. Instead of only studying or analyzing, you explore by making. For example, if you design an experimental wearable that measures emotions, the prototype itself becomes a way to investigate how people interact with technology.

Why is this relevant to you? Because RtD goes beyond solving a problem. It helps you to ask new questions and uncover insights that would not appear without building and testing. This makes it valuable for projects where the goal is to explore possibilities, not only to deliver a final product.

Starting Points

  • Begin with a research question or theme you want to explore.
    Example: “How can sound influence concentration?” leads to building interactive soundscapes.
  • Create prototypes early, even if they are rough.
    Example: a cardboard mock-up of a wearable before making an electronic version.
  • Use prototypes as tools to reflect, test, and refine your question.
    Example: testing multiple fabric samples with sensors to see how comfort affects data quality.

Key Points

  • You show how your prototypes contribute to new insights or knowledge.
  • You make your design process traceable through documentation and reflection.
  • You connect your outcomes back to broader themes, not just to a single product.
  • You embrace uncertainty: outcomes may be unexpected, and that is part of the value.