Found in Design Translation
Year: 2011
Editor: Kovacevic, Ahmed, Ion, William, McMahon, Chris, Buck, Lyndon and Hogarth, Peter
Author: Morgan, David
Series: E&PDE
Section: Pedagogy
Page(s): 311-315
Abstract
During any iterative design process some versions are of such character that they go beyond design iteration and constitute what could be called a design translation. Design translations can generate an important step forward in the designers understanding of the problem or product. Just as in language translation, when an idea can be rendered more clear through alternate language idioms, so too design translation can clarify the design idea through alternative renditions. Design practitioners who become skilled design translators may possess a more robust and reliable problem solving process. This paper proposes a theoretical basis (through Heidegger) for the value of design translation, and uses examples from Jean Prouvé’s oeuvre along with other projects to illustrate translation in design practice.
Keywords: translation, iteration, problem finding, design practice