Analyzing the cognitive processes of an interaction design method using the FBS framework

The engineering design community is debating since more than two decades on the development of models and methods suitable for analyzing the cognitive processes that occur within design activities. An acknowledged model in this domain is the situated FBS framework that describes the design process as consisting of elementary sub-processes defined in terms of modifications on functions, behavior and structures. This framework has been successfully applied to the analysis of the information gathered within industrial innovation projects and to the related design activities. However, it is definitely unusual to use it for analyzing a design method itself, so as to highlight its potential shortcomings and suggest directions of further development. In this paper, the authors investigate this original application through a detailed examination of the IDIM, an interaction design integrated method aimed at generating and validating innovative design suggestions related to interaction issues. The highlighted criticalities are discussed and some suggestions for possible IDIM improvements are depicted. © 2013 The Design Society.