Design Theory

1. Front Matter

   Pages i-xiv

   PDF

2. Introductory Chapter: Contemporary Challenges of Innovation—Why New Design Theories

   • Pascal Le Masson, Benoit Weil, Armand Hatchuel

   Pages 1-17

3. Designing in a Rule-Based Regime—Systematic Design Theory and Project Management

   • Pascal Le Masson, Benoit Weil, Armand Hatchuel

   Pages 19-60

4. Designing the Rules for Rule-Based Design—Conceptual and Generative Models, Axiomatic Design Theory

   • Pascal Le Masson, Benoit Weil, Armand Hatchuel

   Pages 63-122

5. Designing in an Innovative Design Regime—Introduction to C-K Design Theory

   • Pascal Le Masson, Benoit Weil, Armand Hatchuel

   Pages 125-185

6. Designing the Innovative Design Regime—C-K Based Organizations

   • Pascal Le Masson, Benoit Weil, Armand Hatchuel

   Pages 187-334

7. Back Matter

   Pages 337-388

   PDF

This textbook presents the core of recent advances in design theory and its implications for design methods and design organization. Providing a unified perspective on different design methods and approaches, from the most classic (systematic design) to the most advanced (C-K theory), it offers a unique and integrated presentation of traditional and contemporary theories in the field.


Examining the principles of each theory, this guide utilizes numerous real life industrial applications, with clear links to engineering design, industrial design, management, economics, psychology and creativity. Containing a section of exams with detailed answers, it is useful for courses in design theory, engineering design and advanced innovation management.

"Students and professors, practitioners and researchers in diverse disciplines, interested in design, will find in this book a rich and vital source for studying fundamental design methods and toolsas well as the most advanced design theories that work in practice".


Professor Yoram Reich, Tel Aviv University, Editor-in-Chief, Research In Engineering Design.


"Twenty years of research in design theory and engineering have shown that training in creative design is indeed possible and offers remarkably operational methods - this book is indispensable for all leaders and practitioners who wish to strengthen theinnovation capacity of their company."

Pascal Daloz, Executive Vice President, Dassault Systèmes

• C-K Theory
• Systematic Design
• Axiomatic Design
• Optimization Theory and Decision Theory
• Innovative Design Methods
• Rule-based Design
• System Engineering
• Industrial Design
• R&D Organization

• MINES ParisTech—PSL Research University, Paris, France

  Pascal Le Masson, Benoit Weil, Armand Hatchuel

Pascal Le Masson is Professor of Design, Innovation and Management at MINES ParisTech, Professor of the Chair of Design Theory and Methods for Innovation and Director of the Center of Management Science, and Chairman of the Design Theory Special Interest Group of the Design Society (with E. Subrahmanian, CMU). He has published several papers and books, the most recent one in English being ‘Strategic Management of Innovation and Design’ (co-authored with Armand Hatchuel and Benoit Weil, Cambridge University Press, 2011). 


Benoit Weil is a Professor at MINES ParisTech, co-ordinator of the Chair of Design Theory and Methods for Innovation, Head of the Engineering Design and Management Curricula at MINES Paris Tech, and deputy director of the Centre for Management Science at MINES ParisTech. His research focuses on the rationalizations of collective actions. He has created the Research Program on Design Activities with Professor Armand Hatchuel. Together they proposed a new theory of design reasoning (C-K theory) accounting for the dual expansion of knowledge and concepts characteristic of innovative design. Deepening its foundations, they recently showed striking similarities between C-K design theory and Forcing in set theory. He has published several papers and books, the most recent one being Strategic Management of Innovation and Design (co-authored with Armand Hatchuel and Pascal Le Masson, Cambridge Uni
versity Press, 2011). 

Armand Hatchuel (is a Professor at MINES ParisTech, co-ordinator of the Chair of Design Theory and Methods for Innovation, Fellow of the Design Society, Member of the French Academy of Technologies. He has been very active in the development of  theory of management that is adapted to intensive design work and highly innovative contexts. Together with Benoit Weil, he has created the Research Program on Design Activities. Together they proposed a new theory of design reasoning (C-K theory) accounting for the dual expansion of knowledge and concepts characteristic of innovative design. Deepening its foundations, they recently showed striking similarities between C-K design theory and Forcing in set theory. He has published several papers and books, the most recent one being Strategic Management of Innovation and Design (co-authored with Benoit Weil and Pascal Le Masson, Cambridge University Press, 2011).

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