Aesthetics in design science research

Abstract

Much research has focused on understanding design science research and providing guidelines for its successful execution. However, there is still a need for more work on the raison d’être of design science research, which is the development of artefacts that can be applied to solve real-world problems. The value of design science research thus far has been to provide practically applicable solutions, as well as a contribution to knowledge. This paper proposes aesthetics, in addition to truth and utility, as a way to advance this raison d’être. We identify the design science triad of analytics, synthetics, and aesthetics and justify why the aesthetics quality attribute should be appreciated. We then identify twelve quality criteria for articulating and assessing aesthetics in design science research. Doing so enables us to both recognise and achieve artful design so that rigour, utility, and aesthetic value can collectively justify a valuable design science research contribution.

Keywords:

• Design science research
• aesthetics
• synthetics
• analytics
• aesthetic dimensions

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Notes

1. Cited from Ross, Stephen. (1987). Art and Its Significance: An Anthology of Aesthetic Theory. State University of New York Press.

2. Shakespeare, W. Loves Labours Lost, Act 2, Scene 1.

3. “aesthetic, n. and adj.” Ѐ OED Online. December 2016. Oxford University Press. http://www.oed.com/view/Entry/3237?redirectedFrom=aesthetic (accessed February 13, 2017).

4. According to Mill, utilitarianism is often misunderstood as utility as opposed to pleasure, while utility itself is pleasure or the absence of pain.

5. The noun aesthetic is often found used in its plural form. In the plural form, aesthetics can refer to the theory of art and beauty – and in particular the question of what makes something beautiful or interesting to regard.