Reflective Practice Journal Entry 1: Reflection-in-action
Today we discussed the essence of ‘reflection-in-action’ in designing and how important is this process in designing.
“Drawing and talking are parallel ways of designing, and together make up what I call the language of designing” Schon 1983
Basically, Reflection-in-action is an underrated process of design that generally involves sketching. It is then that the progression of sketching plus reflecting on the drawing creates a dialogue between the drawer and the design. It is as if the drawing or design is talking back, this is called “backtalk” and the repeating method help create a finish result that is based from continuous reflecting and ‘backtalks’. Designers’ responses to ‘backtalks’ tend to be very personal. The approach to revisions in the design is based from stored knowledge and gut feel. It is practical, straightforward and very hands on.
I believe almost all practitioners of design have in fact used this process but, like me, just did not actualize the design method in a physical context. Designers get to act more based from their instinct because it is very informal and less restriction works best in design processes. Being aware to this is actually very crucial as it helps designers to train themselves to listen more to their designs, and listening to it gives a better understanding on how to best ‘reframe’ a design predicament. This then leads to a more creative and with the best possible solution.
Reference:
Schon, D.A. 1983, The Reflective Practitioner: How Professionals Think in Action, Basic Books, New York.
Smith, M, Infed.com 2009, viewed 18 August 2010, <http://www.infed.org/thinkers/et-schon.htm>
