Form follows users: a framework for system-based design

One way to organize human interactions with products is systems; one well-established system is language, and one discipline to regulate human-system-product interactions is ergonomics. A new framework that syndicates these three components is introduced to describe a systemic methodology for architectural designing. It consists of a conceptual model to explain the theoretical basis, a figurative model to interpret the structure and an operative model to explain the procedure of the proposed methodology. The framework is implemented in a design studio to test its applicability. Findings reveal that the participants were able to integrate critical issues that surpass those adopted in conventional designing while emphasizing human-centered considerations. The framework seems to enhance incremental derivation of new designs that balance various aesthetics, functional, and environmental requirements.