‘Practicing’ design research skills while undertaking a PhD

This paper will track how three design research students utilised their developing research skills in industry and society while undertaking a PhD. Traditionally in design schools, there has been little direct transition between design research methods and design practices and processes. This is changing. As clients, and society in general, demand more evidence-based answers to design decisions, there could be an increase of scientific knowledge and approaches towards design in non-research organisations. The three cases presented in this paper support this notion. While not predicting an industry trend, it can illuminate for academics, industry and PhD students considering this pathway, how other research students have moved in and out of practice while pursuing – and informing – their PhD research. With greater call for design research skills in industry and society, future PhD students could be encouraged to investigate this as a complementary option to their academic research.