Design Compass: a simple tool for managing the complexity of design

Design is moreover recognised as an important strategic tool in achieving competitive business´, products and services in a global market. As design becomes a more complex matter, due to a general increase in knowledge, requirements and internationalisation, more professions are involved in the design process. Managing design on all levels requires extended cooperation and communication on a firm ground. Cultural diversities are evident not only between different nationalities but also between different professions, resulting in communication problems. To overcome these barriers a common ground is needed. This paper describes a design concept, in line with the emerging understanding and use of design, and presents a simple tool for support of design management and cooperation in interdisciplinary and intercultural teams. The tool, named “Design Compass”, describes design, not as a profession, but as a cross field of interacting contexts and places design as both product and process in the centre. It build on a combination of ancient Greek and Roman definitions of man the made and recent models of integrated design by “state of the art” design studios like IDEO. It deals with the interaction of contextual based knowledge and values in the design, where integration and optimization acts as the main drive of the process. With this tools design matters can be mapped, described and communicated and knowledge shared among participants in design booth within and among companies and design teams. As such it acts a managing tool for both leaders and participants in the design process. This paper builds on long term practical experiment with development and use of a simple tool to support management of complex design matters in diverse groups. Concerning education it has supported the development of new courses within Fashion design, Industrial design and Design Management within the Experience economy.