University of Twente Student Theses
Emergence as a Principle of Design Research : Theoretical and Practical Considerations
Koeverden, Nick Alexander van (2025) Emergence as a Principle of Design Research : Theoretical and Practical Considerations.
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| Abstract: | The concept of emergence - the formation of new, irreducible properties through the interaction of individual elements - has significant implications for industrial design, particularly in fostering user engagement and sustainable innovation. This thesis investigates emergence as a fundamental principle in design, synthesizing perspectives from gestalt psychology, systems theory, and interactive product design. Through a structured literature review, this study establishes a cohesive definition of emergence in design and examines its role in adaptability, user experience, and sustainability. To bridge theory and practice, a modular lighting prototype was developed, designed to exhibit emergent behaviour through reconfigurable magnetic components. A controlled user study using rendered images evaluated participant perceptions, revealing that modularity enhances co-creation and deepens understanding of emergence in design. Findings suggest that embedding emergent principles into products can improve adaptability, foster dynamic user interaction, and promote sustainable material strategies. This research contributes to the ongoing discourse on interactive and sustainable design, proposing emergence as a framework for crafting products that evolve dynamically with user needs over time. |
| Item Type: | Essay (Bachelor) |
| Faculty: | EEMCS: Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science |
| Subject: | 20 art studies |
| Programme: | Creative Technology BSc (50447) |
| Link to this item: | https://purl.utwente.nl/essays/106384 |
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