Stephan Ott
Director Design Research & Appliance
Knowledge Meets Practice
Design Research & Appliance
Design Is a Strategic Success Factor. The German Design Council connects research, business and design practice to make innovation and transformation measurable. Through studies and analyses, we provide data-driven insights that show how design drives change and strengthens long-term competitiveness.
What Is Design Research?
Design research is a multifaceted field without a single, fixed definition. And that is precisely its strength. It connects theoretical foundations with practical application, generating new knowledge about design, innovation and societal transformation.Theoretical design research is academically grounded and draws on disciplines such as history, computer science and sociology. Applied design research, by contrast, takes place in companies, institutions and universities. Its scope ranges from material exploration to customer research and user testing. At its core, design research seeks to utilise design as a method to shape the future – one that is data-driven, user-focused, and impact-oriented.
Who Benefits From Design Research?
Based on this diversity, four primary domains of design research emerge: universities, institutions, businesses and design agencies. We act as a mediator and catalyst, building bridges between academic theory, education and business practice. This dialogue connects designers, researchers and entrepreneurs – making design visible as a strategic driver of innovation.