Design research has produced a rich set of theories explaining disparate aspects of design activity, including problem solving, contradiction resolution, conceptual expansion, and reflective practice. However, these theories often emphasize localized mechanisms and provide limited integration of why intervention becomes necessary, how it becomes possible, and why it remains constrained across domains. This paper introduces Designics, a scientific paradigm that defines design as intentional change (i.e., purposive environment transformation via intervention) in human-environment systems. Drawing on a 35-year synthesis of formal logic and empirical cognition, Designics is organized around a minimal unit of analysis-the Designer-Environment-Intervention (DEI) triad-and three governing laws that function as the first principles of the field. The Conflict Law states that conflict drives intervention: conflict (the mismatch between demands and resources) makes intervention necessary. The Perception Law states that perception enables intervention: perception forms the actionable perceived environment that makes intervention possible. The Capability Law states that capability constrains perception, and thereby constrains intervention: finite cognitive-affective capability constrains perception, rendering intervention effortful and recursive. Together, these laws explain design as a recursive process in which conflict makes intervention necessary, perception makes it possible, and finite capability makes it constrained, effortful, and open-ended. The paradigm integrates representation, reasoning, and empirical investigation through formal modeling principles and triangulated research instruments, including behavioral, physiological, and neurocognitive measures. By providing a stable unit of analysis, governing laws, and empirical pathways, Designics offers a scientific foundation for integrating existing design theories while enabling systematic investigation of intentional change across engineering, organizational, and socio-technical systems.
Adaptive Photovoltaic Shutter (APS) is an innovative shading device that integrates photovoltaic materials into its slats, enabling it to convert sunlight into electricity while adaptively adjusting frame and slat angles to optimize multiple performance objectives. Due to the complexity of its mechanical system and operation, an advanced digital twin (DT) is essential for effective monitoring and control. Current research integrates mixed reality (MR) with DT to provide a more immersive and intuitive management experience. An Arduino-based IoT system collects real-time data from the APS, uploads it to the cloud, and enables visualization through a MR application. Within the MR interface, users can observe the status of the physical APS and control it by interacting with its digital counterpart. A survey was conducted to evaluate the DT's usability and user engagement. The results suggest that the MR-DT can enhance user engagement and support anomaly detection tasks, although it is associated with longer task initiation time and perceived interaction latency. These findings highlight both the potential and limitations of MR-enhanced DT in APS operation.
Digital technologies offer significant economic, environmental, and societal benefits. However, a key challenge for implementing digital technology is determining which solution best addresses the needs of the organisation, its workforce, society, and sustainability. This paper uses the concept of legitimacy, the acceptance and normalisation of technology, to explore different stakeholder perspectives, helping to inform decisions about technology adoption. A legitimacy lens encourages critical questioning of the norms and values of societies, public bodies, or organisations. We outline a set of discussion cards designed to structure conversations about the legitimacy of implementing potential digital technologies into a specific workplace or industry setting. The cards simplify concepts from legitimacy theory into nine main themes and encourage discussions that explore both positive and negative aspects. This paper presents an early-stage prototype card tool, their piloting and redesign, and validation in an industrial setting with Rolls-Royce. The company used them in three on-line and in-person workshop sessions with 15 industry participants. Results support the usefulness of the legitimacy concept in holistic, guided conversations and the cards as a boundary object tool to help the industry operationalise theory effectively. Conclusions indicate the need to simplify the academic language used, ensure that topics for discussion are distinct, and enhance guidance or process for equity in workshop facilitation/participation.
The maritime sector is undergoing major changes driven by decarbonization targets, digitalization, and automation. In the Netherlands, the Maritime Masterplan addresses these through climate-neutral vessels, digital platforms, and a Human Capital program focused on learning communities and interdisciplinary collaboration. Education must shift from routine expertise to adaptive expertise, ensuring flexibility for new fuels and technologies, while also updating competencies beyond current standards. This position paper argues that deep understanding of fundamentals remains essential, illustrated by initiatives like a Ship Stability Game, which emphasize first-principles learning. The central proposition is that the development of fundamental understanding should be given a more prominent role, particularly within a multidisciplinary educational environment.
