Survey For Australian Communication Design Practitioners

25th August, 2012

Research And Practice Nexus: What Designers Do
Survey For Australian Communication Design Practitioners

Invitation
Do you conduct research? Do you read research? Is research important?
It's unknown if, how or why visual communication designers engage with research in Australia. To find out, a national study is currently seeking professional graphic designers from all Australian states and all levels of experience to complete a short online survey.

You're invited to participate at:http://tinyurl.com/comdesignpractitioners

Abstract
There are mixed opinions in academic literature and industry about the importance and practicality of designers engaging with research during design projects to support their work. Some authors declare designers value research and use it a lot in their work to add value and improve effectiveness. Others claim there is a lack of understanding of what research really is, and suggest that the majority of designers do not engage with research enough.

However, most of the debate is based on pure opinion, as there is no empirical evidence of what is currently taking place in Australian communication design practice with regard to engaging with research. Also, there is a gross imbalance in the discussion, with the majority of comment originating from academia, and few contributions from professional practitioners who are actually involved in current practice.

In light of the lack of empirical evidence and imbalance of opinion in the debate, this study set out to investigate the activities and attitudes of Australian communication designers to better understand if, how and why they engage with research as part of their work, as well how much they value research.

Gaining a better understanding of if, how and why communication design practitioners engage with research is expected to provide evidence to ground the current debate, and a foundation for future planning by design professionals, researchers and educators. Future strategies for best practice, design research and education that recognise and accommodate the way practitioners currently engage with and value research will have far more power to affect positive change and to foster useful engagement between the communication design discipline and profession.

For further information about the study please contact:
Emma Fisher efisher@swin.edu.au