Seitamaa-Hakkarainen, P., Huotilainen, M., Mäkelä M., Croth, C., & Hakkarainen, K. (in press). The promise of cognitive neuroscience in design studies. Proceedings of Design Research Society 2014 Conference, June 16-19, 2014 Umeå, Sweden. (original) (raw)

The process of design is a complex, multifaceted activity that requires sophisticated professional thinking and competence, described as reflection in action and embodied process where hand, eye, and mind collaborate. We propose that cognitive neuroscience provide valuable tools for analysing processes of thinking and acting relevant to designing. This paper discusses the challenges and opportunities that use of brain imaging methods, especially, provides for understanding activities, skills, and cognition of design. We argue that cognitive neurosciences provide valuable instruments and methods complementing traditional design research.