Design Forms and Games

This paper introduces a theoretical framework for characterizing design processes as design games. Based on Collins and Ferguson's epistemic forms and games, the framework characterizes design processes as games played by designers to fill out design forms, which are general templates underlying specific design artifacts. We introduce our framework through games involved in human-centered design, describing for each the entry conditions, target form, constraints, and moves. We demonstrate how the framework can be used to characterize design games played by experts in museum exhibit design and urban design. Through similar analyses, the framework might be used by learning scientists to investigate the design games of individuals from novice to professional, supporting identification of cognitive resources for more sophisticated design practices and articulation of developmental pathways. The framework might be used by design educators to determine practice-based learning objectives and guide the design of instructional activities.