Digital information support for concept design

This paper outlines the issues in effective utilisation of digital resources in conceptual design. Access to appropriate information acts as a stimulus and can lead to better substantiated concepts. The issues of presenting such information in a digital form for effective use are addressed in a review of digital libraries and groupware, with improved integration of these two technologies advocated to better support the concept generation task. The development of the LauLima learning environment and digital library is consequently outlined. Despite its attempts to integrate the designers' working space and digital resources, continuing issues in library utilisation and the migration of information to design concepts are highlighted through a project study. In light of this, new approaches to interaction for increased information use are outlined.