A Typology of Design Knowledge:
A Theoretical Framework
Roland M. Müller
University of Twente, The Netherlands

Katja Thoring
Anhalt University of Applied Sciences, Dessau/Germany
What is Knowledge?
Typology of Design Knowledge
______________________________
A
B
C
D
Design Artifacts
Design Intuition
Design Rational
Design Theories
}
Conclusion
______________________________
________________________
Introduction of a Common Framework for Design-Specific Knowledge 
       (Type I Theory)
4 Levels of Design Knowledge with Different Characteristics and 3 Transitions 
Structured Literature Review
Implications for Education and Research
Might serve as a Foundation for Further Research (Type IV or V Theories)
Models and Theories
e.g. Antibody with a Virus
e.g. Cooking Recipe
F. J. Radermacher
Karl Popper
all patterns that enable actions or decisions
Physical Level
Symbolic Level
Model Level
Explicit Knowledge
________________________
Neuronal Level
Tacit Knowledge
e.g. Maxwell's Equations
e.g. How to Ride a Bike
Transition B><C
..............................................................................................................................................
..............................................................................................................................................
Transition A><B
............
............
............
Transition C><D
3d Forms and Signals
Learning from Artifacts
Reverse Engineering
Code Review
existing IT Architectures
Open Artifact
Book Knowledge
Seems to be relatively easy to transfer
However, prior knowledge or experience is necessary to understand the meaning of the codified concepts

also present in an externalized and codified form
easy to transfer, but requires prior knowledge
Repository of Design Theories
Designing with Theories
Use of Design Patterns
Literature Review
Examples
Impact on Teaching and Research
Level and Transition
............
............
............
..............................................................................................................................................
e.g. Design Terminology, Drawings, Modeling, Visual Languages (like UML), Material Knowledge, Production Knowledge
..............................................................................................................................................
..............................................................................................................................................
..............................................................................................................................................
e.g. Design Patterns, Ergnonomic Norms
Trial-and-Error (Test-Series)
Master-Apprentice-Relation
Design Mentors
"Safety nets"
Project Work
Feedback from Material

Not just Paper Cases
Real Environment
Learning to See
Filtering/Scoping not often taught
ML Markus, A Majchrzak (2002) A design theory for systems that support emergent knowledge processes - MISQ
Agreement on a Common Design Language
Reflective Practice
Reasons for or 
against a Design
Design Theory Building
Represented as Frameworks, Causal or Process Maps, etc.
Understanding complex Systems
Creating new Models and Theories
Compressing and Abstracting Knowledge
e.g. Through Qualitative Research Methods, such as ‘Grounded Theory’ 
Gut Feeling
Holistic Experience

Problem: 
       Incorrect Generalization
Most Signals are Filtered 
Frozen "Knowledge"
Nothing that is worth knowing 
can be taught.
“
Oscar Wilde