scholarly journals From Goal-Oriented to Constraint-Oriented Design: The Cybernetic Intersection of Design Theory and Systems Theory

Leonardo ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 50 (1) ◽  
pp. 36-41 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas Fischer ◽  
Laurence D. Richards
Keyword(s):  
Systems Theory ◽  
20Th Century ◽  
Design Theory ◽  
Second Order ◽  
System Boundaries ◽  
Support Design ◽  
Design Exploration ◽  
Design Processes ◽  
Ethical Implications

This article traces the changing notions of constraints in design and of systems since the mid-20th century in the intersection of design theory and systems theory. Taking a second-order cybernetic perspective, the article develops constraints as observer dependent and it analyzes conditions under which constraints tend to be beneficial or detrimental. Ethical implications of constraints in design processes are established with reference to system boundaries. Constraint-oriented design is discussed as an alternative to goal-oriented design, and a method called constraint reversal is introduced as a strategy of deliberate defiance of constraints to support design exploration.

scholarly journals Interactive Exploration of Large-Scale UI Datasets with Design Maps

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luis A Leiva ◽  
Asutosh Hota ◽  
Antti Oulasvirta
Keyword(s):  
User Interface ◽  
Point Cloud ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Mobile Apps ◽  
Online Resources ◽  
Design Tools ◽  
Support Design ◽  
Design Exploration ◽  
Clustering Techniques ◽  
Cloud Points

Abstract Designers are increasingly using online resources for inspiration. How to best support design exploration without compromising creativity? We introduce and study Design Maps, a class of point-cloud visualizations that makes large user interface datasets explorable. Design Maps are computed using dimensionality reduction and clustering techniques, which we analyze thoroughly in this paper. We present concepts for integrating Design Maps into design tools, including interactive visualization, local neighborhood exploration and functionality to integrate existing solutions to the design at hand. These concepts were implemented in a wireframing tool for mobile apps, which was evaluated with actual designers performing realistic tasks. Overall, designers find Design Maps supporting their creativity (avg. CSI score of 74/100) and indicate that the maps producing consistent whitespacing within cloud points are the most informative ones.

Two-sided form, differentiation and second-order observation in Escher’s artworks and Calvino’s stories

Kybernetes ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 48 (5) ◽  
pp. 1060-1077
Author(s):  
Laura Appignanesi
Keyword(s):  
Twentieth Century ◽  
Systems Theory ◽  
Second Order ◽  
Order System ◽  
Literary Works ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Theoretical Concepts ◽  
Art And Literature ◽  
Second Order Systems ◽  
Late Works

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to find a leading idea of the mid-twentieth century, demonstrating the pervasive nature of some concepts belonging to second-order systems theory. To achieve this objective, the paper looks at the art and literature of this era, to identify the principles developed by Luhmann in his late works. In particular, Escher’s drawings, Calvino’s stories and Luhmann’s concepts seem to express, in different ways, the same functioning mechanism of the complex social system. Design/methodology/approach With reference to theoretical approach and methodology, this paper carries out an interdisciplinary demonstration by alternative modes of logos and mythos. Some of the pillars of general systems theory are examined through the logical articulation of concepts developed by Spencer-Brown, von Foerster, and first of all through the late works of Luhmann, as well as through the analysis of Escher’s artworks and Calvino’s literary works. This paper interprets these artistic and literary works using cybernetic principles and systemic concepts, in particular, “two-sided forms,” “system–environment differentiation” and “second-order observation.” Findings In general, the main finding is the similarity of fascination with paradoxes and forms, with post-ontological reasoning, in twentieth century. The result of the cross-reading of Escher, Calvino and Luhmann reveals the presence of what Simmel called the “hidden king”: a philosophical paradigm of an era. In mid-1900s, this leading idea seems to express itself in the discoveries of biology and cybernetics, such as in Luhmann’s theory, art and literature. Escher’s drawings, Calvino’s stories and the concepts of Luhmann are projections of second-order system theory, in its constructivist value. Originality/value The originality of this paper lies mainly in the demonstration of theoretical concepts through the alternative modes of logos and mythos. These reflections can provide a new perspective to investigate social sciences from a cultural angle. This particular approach allows a deep awareness of the theory. The concrete value is to provide a better understanding to manage complexity.

Expanding God’s Redemptive Fractal: Spirit-Centered Counseling and the Transformative Wisdom of Jesus

2021 ◽  
Vol 1 ◽  
pp. 29-54
Author(s):  
Bill Buker
Keyword(s):  
Systems Theory ◽  
Meaning Making ◽  
Ways Of Knowing ◽  
Second Order ◽  
Conventional Wisdom ◽  
Order Change ◽  
Way Of Knowing ◽  
Second Order Change ◽  
The Mind

Using the image of a fractal, a Spirit-centered approach to counseling is proposed that conceptualizes the Spirit’s activity as seeking to replicate the patterns of God’s redemptive story throughout creation by facilitating deep second-order change. Involving an epistemological shift from ways of knowing shaped by the conventional wisdom of culture to a renewed mind grounded in the transformative wisdom of Jesus, this deep change is explored from the perspectives of science and Scripture. Integrating findings from systems theory with the ministry and message of Jesus, this approach to counseling emphasizes relational premises and values believed to be characteristic of the mind of the Spirit. Defined as the capacity to know and see in ways that are consistent with the passion and purposes of God, cultivating the mind of the Spirit is viewed as the essence of Spirit-centered counseling. Presumed to be seen most clearly in the life of Jesus, this model focuses on his distinctive way of knowing and seeing by examining what can be learned about the epistemological facets of perception and meaning-making when comparing his Way with the patterns of this world. It is proposed that Spirit-centered counseling is guided by the premises and patterns contained in Jesus’ transformative wisdom.

Social Systems on the Cross

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marinos Diamantides ◽  
Anton Schütz
Keyword(s):  
Systems Theory ◽  
20Th Century ◽  
Social Systems ◽  
Modern Society ◽  
The Other ◽  
Social Darwinism ◽  
Early 20Th Century ◽  
Individual Identity ◽  
Human Consciousness ◽  
The One

While early 20th century Social Darwinism has been discredited, post-WW2 theories have re-emphasized Darwin's notion of the environment. On this basis, and substituting social systems for natural species, society has been analyzed as a system-in-evolution, a machinery that, reflexively or self-referentially, produces itself at every moment anew. Modern society, according to social systems theory, continuously makes itself, thanks to countless simultaneous communications taking place at once. There are two equally disquieting lessons here. On the one hand, modern law, understood as the communicative system that applies the distinction lawful/unlawful to everything that gets in its way, is placed within an environment constituted by other communicative social systems (the economy, politics, religion, art etc) and the conditions created by those. On the other hand, social systems at large are separated from the realm of human consciousness, i.e. of collective or individual identity (the ‘psychic systems’). While ‘social' and ‘psychic’ systems never meet, they rely on absolute indifference with respect to their other side, as only this indifference enables especially social systems to assure their (superior) fact-creating potential. Our own project consists in spelling out the implications of this scissile sense of ‘meaning’, at once understood as a shorthand for what is actually happening (fragmented communications) and as consciousness-as-identity (imaginary unity).

Models in sociocybernetics: A 20 year review at the ISA-RC51 on Sociocybernetics

2019 ◽  
Vol 67 (4) ◽  
pp. 527-543
Author(s):  
Luciano Gallón
Keyword(s):  
Systems Theory ◽  
Model Theory ◽  
Second Order ◽  
Theory And Practice ◽  
Integral Approach ◽  
Research Committee ◽  
Model Concept ◽  
International Sociological Association ◽  
Models And Modelling

What is a model? A frequently asked question by an observer when sharing the record of their work describing reality when communicating findings. However, there are other related questions: Has the model been validated? Is the model valid? Is the model useful? This article gives possible answers to these questions from the sociocybernetics paradigm. The second order, the observation of the observer, is an integral approach to the study of the model concept, but, above all, to the action involved: making a model. The text draws on systems theory and offers a reflection on the possibilities, alternatives, barriers and potentials of making models-based sociocybernetics and, also, sociocybernetics-based models. The reader will find a review of the approach to reality through models, the scales of observables and observers, an account of main works related to model theory and practice, and a review of tools available for making and simulating models and discussion on model value. The article concludes with a review of the last 20 years of the International Sociological Association (ISA) Research Committee 51 (RC51) on Sociocybernetics activity related to models and modelling.

Enhancing Virtual Product Representations for Advanced Design Repository Systems

2005 ◽  
Vol 5 (4) ◽  
pp. 360-372 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matt R. Bohm ◽  
Robert B. Stone ◽  
Simon Szykman
Keyword(s):  
Design Theory ◽  
Product Information ◽  
Single Point ◽  
Search Display ◽  
Design Tool ◽  
Design Knowledge ◽  
Design Tools ◽  
Product Knowledge ◽  
Support Design ◽  
Point Of Entry

This paper describes the transformation of an existing set of heterogeneous product knowledge into a coherent design repository that supports product design knowledge archival and web-based search, display, and design model and tool generation. Guided by design theory, existing product information was analyzed and compared against desired outputs to ascertain what information management structure was needed to produce design resources pertinent to the design process. Several test products were catalogued to determine what information was essential without being redundant in representation. This set allowed for the creation of a novel single point of entry application for product information and the development of a relational database for design knowledge archival. Web services were then implemented to support design knowledge retrieval through search, browse, and real-time design tool generation. Further explored in this paper are the fundamental enabling technologies of the design repository system. Additionally, repository-generated design tools are scrutinized alongside human-generated design tools for validation. Through this process researchers have been able to improve the way in which artifact data are gathered, archived, distributed and used.

THE HIDDEN BLUEPRINT: A DISSECTION OF THE TECHNOLOGICAL FOOTPRINT ON LIVING SYSTEMS

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carrie O'Connell ◽  
Chad Van De Wiele ◽  
Kristina Sawyer ◽  
Michele Ferris-Dobles ◽  
Melina Garcia
Keyword(s):  
Human Behavior ◽  
Design Theory ◽  
Human Migration ◽  
Living Systems ◽  
Technological Systems ◽  
User Friendliness ◽  
Technological Infrastructure ◽  
Ethical Implications ◽  
Machine Communication ◽  
The Impact

The proliferation of technological systems which permeate, and often dominate, human sociological systems is ripe for critical exploration. The purpose of this panel is to investigate the myriad ways in which technology has encroached upon—and, arguably, engineered—human behaviors, once considered the domain of psychological and biological outcomes. Additionally, this panel will offer critical insight into how disproportionate and otherwise ethically skewed technological influence may be mitigated at the point of creation in order to restore balance between tech consumer and tech creator. Topics in this panel span human migration, algorithmic encoding, human-machine communication, datafication of the human subject, glitch technology, and AI-based prediction. This panel will investigate ways in which technology has converged with human systems, often unquestioned, and offer analysis into the potential consequences of this convergence, as well as potential solutions for alleviating the omnipresence of technical sovereignty on living systems. Specific panel presentations discuss: • The inorganic digital footprint that mitigates the tangible human footprint of human migration. • The pitfalls of cybernetic prediction and the corrosive nature of AI-based prediction. • The nature of human-machine communication, as documented by interactions with Amazon Go. • Normalization of gender, as evidenced by algorithmic determination in Spotify suggestions. • The emancipatory power of “breaking” the black box of participatory technology. Each panel topic identifies technology as the basis for living systems at the socio-cultural level. For example, multiple papers investigate how algorithms seek to manage, mitigate, and encourage human behavior, while others look at the physical technological infrastructure which guides the flow of human migration. The overarching goal of each paper encourages the end-user to take a deeper look at the symbiotic relationship between digital infrastructure and living systems in order to critically examine the consequences of convergence without critical oversight. Each paper in this panel also identifies a humanistic concept that interrogates the blurring between natural and artificial, human and machine, agency, and autonomy. Dissection of the hidden blueprint of techno-socio systems requires scholars to reconsider what it means to be human and forces a critical inquiry about why, how, and under what circumstances machines can or should engineer or augment human actors, and the extent to which machines can be made to act responsibly. For example, as displaced populations are forced from their nation-states, the ethical implications that those migrants of diaspora may tailor their migratory routes to current technological infrastructure must be considered. As we evolve towards engineering more scalable communication networks capable of harnessing the allegiance of a wide swath of the population based on geographic proximity, we mustn’t neglect to consider that these networks are driving human behavior as much, if not more, than they are supporting it. Similarly, when considering the hidden philosophical blueprint that prescribes predictive artificial intelligence, we mustn’t neglect to consider the assumptions which belie this philosophy, nor the impact of systems derived from such philosophy which claim to predict the patterns of our human behavior. These research topics identify the importance and relevance of scholarship in the area of human-machine communication and advocate for their inclusion in the conceptualization, prototyping, and creation of ethical robotic and AI technologies. Increasingly, humans find themselves socializing with intelligent agents and robots at home, in schools, and at work. Further, humans often do recognize the extent to which technological systems drive human behavior. This panel offers a glimpse into the necessary, provocative, and timely discussion about HMC and the role of critical scholarship in shaping technologies of the future. As technology progresses, we find ourselves on the precipice of social and cultural evolution in which the illusory real disguised as “user-friendliness” becomes more and more ubiquitous in design theory. In many respects, the trajectory of the modern-day Internet suggests that rather than heading towards emancipation (what user-friendliness promises)--we are headed closer to invisibility. Each of these panels reveals a mechanism by which we may peek into the constructs of our techno-social reality, as so that we may mitigate the dangers of such invisibility.

Design exploration assessment methodology: testing the guidance of design processes

2013 ◽  
Vol 24 (3) ◽  
pp. 165-184 ◽  
Author(s):  
Caroline Murrie Clevenger ◽  
John Riker Haymaker ◽  
Andrew Ehrich
Keyword(s):  
Assessment Methodology ◽  
Design Exploration ◽  
Design Processes
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