Convivial Toolbox: Generative Research for the Front End of Design

by Liz Sanders, Pieter Jan Stappers

Generative design research is an approach to bring the people we serve through design directly into the design process in order to ensure that we can meet their needs and dreams for the future. The book introduces an emerging domain of design that is of immense interest today not only to the academic design research community but also to those in the business community charged with the development of human-centred products, systems, services, and environments. There are no other books with this focus and coverage currently available.

Genres: Design, Research, Nonfiction, Business

312 pages, Paperback

First published September 11, 2012

Reviews

[Gaurav Mathur · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice introduction to generative design research.
Strength of the book lies in elaborate case studies and how to conduct them.

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Convivial Toolbox is a strong place to start for those interested in learning more about co-creative design practices. I would recommend this book to students just embarking upon their design education.

[Diego Mazo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Complete guide to do design research in the fuzzy front end.

[Nana Kesewaa · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of my favourite books and go tos each time I plan design sessions.

[Raya Dimitrova · Rating 4 out of 5]

Doing my first year of Interaction Design master, I got this book for aiding my work for my thesis project 1 via which I wanted to play with Participatory Design and Co-Design. This book was of great help to me by giving a profound overview of both the theoretical view of it and the hands-on practical advices on how to best run such co-design, generative design workshops.

* Especially loved:
1. the mapping of the design research landscape. I highly appreciated seeing these concepts in some order :)
2. the 'what people say/do/make' mapping to methods & reach of insights

* I didn't actually finish the book as I tend to be pedantic when reading this kind of things and the book is exhaustive with a lot of examples and a abundance of details about how to do generative design. Which is good! I just didn't have the time to go over all those details with my pedantic manner of approaching it :D Maybe I'll skim over the rest another time with a more chill, go-faster-through mindset.

[Maike Klip · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wat een goed boek! Ik las dit boek eigenlijk 2x. Toen ik ruim over de helft was, begon ik opnieuw. Dit keer met een stift in de hand ging ik alles studerend lezen en leerde ik zoveel meer. Tijdens het lezen heb ik de materie direct geoefend in een van mijn projecten met participanten.

Het boek gaat over research doen met een designgedreven aanpak. Het gaat ervan uit dat iedereen creatief is (agree!). Ze lichten allerlei generatieve onderzoeks- en maakmethodes toe, zowel vanuit de theorie als uit praktijkcases. Daarnaast leggen ze de lat hoog wat betreft analyses, communicatie en de brug slaan naar design. Niet eerder las ik een boek dat het zo goed en helder uitlegt. Wat mij betreft een must read voor iedere onderzoeker en designer!

[کیا · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good reference if you want to work on participatory or generative design and co-creation. In other words if you want to include the users in the process of design.
Other references mentioned in the book are also useful.

[Nuria]

Great book to start learning about contextmapping and context user research. Full of case examples and practical explanations.

[Dennis · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must for anyone who wants to learn co-design methods.

[Jodi Zatezalo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Incredibly comprehensive book, a must have for anyone in the research field (design or otherwise)

[Matthew · Rating 5 out of 5]

Useful frameworks for organizing research efforts.