Research-Based Learning vs Example-Based Learning: A Comparative Study
In the realm of travel, tourism, and technology, the importance of blending research and design has been emphasized by numerous influential figures. One such individual is Don Norman, who in a conference in 1996, highlighted the significance of this approach.
The fusion of research and design is also a cornerstone of the Interaction Design Foundation's courses. This foundation, which combines research-based and example-based learning, aims to help students understand what works and what doesn't work in design, and why.
Research-based learning, which focuses on the sciences that underlie the User Experience, such as psychology and sociology, provides a solid foundation for design. It helps understand the principles that govern human behaviour and interaction, enabling designers to create more effective and user-friendly solutions.
On the other hand, example-based learning, often embodied in case studies, offers practical insights. Case studies like "How our re-design made us lose 43% of our customers" or "How we increased the ecommerce conversion rate by 24%" provide real-world examples of design successes and failures, offering valuable lessons for aspiring designers.
However, example-based learning can also lead to a Just-Fucking-Do-It (JFDI) development process, which can be risky. This approach, which involves copying designs or business models, can work to a certain extent but also carries the risk of massive failure. The Interaction Design Foundation's courses aim to help students move away from this risky process, guiding them towards a more balanced approach.
In the tech world, figures like Paul Graham have championed the importance of innovation and new ideas. Graham, known for his work on Lisp, co-founding Viaweb (which eventually became Yahoo! Store), and co-founding the Y Combinator seed capital firm, believes that the best design surpasses its predecessors by using new ideas, and the best research solves problems that are not only new, but worth solving.
The debate about whether Steve Jobs stole ideas from Xerox PARC for the creation of the Apple Macintosh is a testament to the complexities of the relationship between research and design. While Jobs is quoted as saying "Good artists copy great artists steal," the line between inspiration and theft can often be blurred.
Leonardo da Vinci, a leading artist and intellectual of the Italian Renaissance, emphasized the importance of theory in practice. He stated that practice without theory is like sailing without a rudder and compass. This sentiment was echoed by Immanuel Kant, who stated that experience without theory is blind, but theory without experience is mere intellectual play.
In the modern business world, the success of companies like Uber.com has led to a trend of start-ups branding themselves as "Uber for X." This trend demonstrates the power of example-based learning, where successful models are replicated and adapted to new contexts.
In conclusion, the Interaction Design Foundation's courses aim to hit a "sweet-spot" between example-based and research-based learning, avoiding the dangerous de-intellectualization of design. By combining the practical insights of example-based learning with the theoretical foundations of research-based learning, these courses offer a comprehensive and balanced approach to design, one that is essential in today's fast-paced and competitive world.
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