Exploratory Inquiring enabled by data visualization to enhance designer's creative process

Abstract

Ford aims to implement a data-enabled design approach, using data to inspire and inform the whole creative process. In this context, in 2020, they took a step to reach this goal by setting up a University Research Project with the Industrial Design Faculty at Technology University of Delft, proposing data visualisation as one of the research lines. In this master thesis project, the role of Data Visualization in Data-Enabled Design projects is investigated, specifically how to use Data Visualization more efficiently to generate insights and inform the creative process of Ford design.
The initial stages of the project were focused on understanding how Ford is using data in the design process and reviewing the published literature about creativity, data, data-enabled design, data visualisation, and exploratory data analysis. Then, through a critical reflection about the intersections of the theoretical research, eight possible design directions were identified in which data visualisation can support the creative process, termed “crossing bridges”.
Afterwards, in collaboration with the company, the one with higher potential, “Exploratory inquiring”, was selected to investigate further. Hence, three empirical studies were developed: personal explorations, a design students workshop and one workshop with Ford employees.
The last steps included the analysis and discussion of these sessions individually and comparatively, considering the limits of this research and the proposal of different aspects to consider in future research. Finally, I present a guide to support Ford in performing Exploratory Inquiring.