A theoretical design management framework

Sun, Q; Williams, A; Martyn, E

Abstract

Design management is a relatively new concept compared with either design practice or management science. There has been various approaches tried to conceptualise design management issues, but most of these have considered design management in an organisational perspective, in isolation from the context in which the design profession is practiced - the design industry - and thus are unlikely to capture the emerging issues driven by design industry trends. This suggests a need for a design management model which conceptualises design management practice in addressing the issues of concern to various stakeholders within the sector.

This paper develops a conceptual framework by positioning design management within the design industry’s knowledge supply chain. It defines design management as the management of the interface between design practice and other industry forces. The proposed conceptual framework is evaluated by comparing it with existing theoretical concepts and models. It concludes by identifying roles missing from classical design management theory, and suggesting region-specific design management remits, which recognise how the emerging role for design managers is likely to differ.

Citation

Sun, Q., Williams, A., & Martyn, E. (2011). A theoretical design management framework. Design Journal, 14(1), 112-132. https://doi.org/10.2752/175630610X12877385838885

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Publication Date: Jan 1, 2011
• Deposit Date: Mar 10, 2011
• Journal: The Design Journal
• Print ISSN: 1460-6925
• Publisher: Routledge
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 14
• Issue: 1
• Pages: 112-132
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.2752/175630610X12877385838885
• Keywords: Design Management, Design Industry, UK, China
• Publisher URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.2752/175630610X12877385838885
• Related Public URLs: http://www.bergpublishers.com/BergJournals/TheDesignJournal/tabid/3650/Default.aspx