Episode 220: Research for Designers w/ Gjoko Muratovski

Apr 17, 2025

Gjoko Muratovski, editor of 'Research for Designers: A Guide to Methods and Practices,' discusses the evolution of design research and its critical role in tackling global challenges. He emphasizes curiosity as a driving force for innovation, advocating for human-centric strategies in design. The conversation delves into the misinterpretations of design thinking in business and underscores the value of ethnographic research. Reflecting on the Challenger disaster, Gjoko critiques decision-making failures, urging a focus on improving life on Earth.

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ANECDOTE

Writing Research for Designers

Gjoko Muratovski shares his 15-year journey writing Research for Designers, which began as a PhD resource.
The first edition was meant for beginners and used clear language to bridge academic research and practice.

INSIGHT

Clarity Over Complexity in Writing

Academic writing is often dense due to poor writing or unclear understanding.
Gjoko emphasizes writing in clear, simple language to aid comprehension, especially for non-native English speakers.

ANECDOTE

Design Language Gap with Business

Gjoko recounts struggling to explain design's business impact to Toyota executives using only an artistic language.
He realized his education lacked language to communicate design's value in business terms.

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Neufert

Ernst Neufert

Jean-Michel Hoyet

Architects' Data is a seminal reference book that offers detailed information on spatial requirements for various building types. It includes extensive illustrations and data on functional building layouts, making it an indispensable tool for architects and designers. The book covers a wide range of topics from residential to commercial buildings, including considerations of function, location, and sustainability.

Scope of total architecture

Walter Gropius

Research for Designers

A Guide to Methods and Practices

Gjoko Muratovski

Challenger

A True Story of Heroism and Disaster on the Edge of Space

Adam Higginbotham

This book provides a comprehensive and riveting history of the Challenger disaster, which occurred on January 28, 1986. Higginbotham delves into the years leading up to the accident, detailing the ambitions, ingenuity, and political cynicism that undermined the space shuttle program. The narrative follows the seven members of the doomed crew and the designers, engineers, and test pilots who struggled to get the first shuttle into space. It highlights the ominous warning signs ignored by NASA, the investigation driven by leakers and whistleblowers, and the broader context of the space race and its impact on the NASA space program. The book is a masterful blend of human drama and scientific detail, exposing the complex costs of innovation and the fatal compromises made in the pursuit of national prestige.

The true believer

Thoughts on the Nature of Mass Movements

Eric Hoffer

Published in 1951, 'The True Believer' is a landmark work in social psychology that provides a visionary and provocative look into the mind of the fanatic and the dynamics of mass movements. Hoffer argues that ideologies are interchangeable for true believers, who are driven by personal frustrations and a desire for certainty and belonging. The book is highly relevant today, offering insights into political fanaticism, the rise of mass movements, and the dangers of unthinking adherence to any cause. It has been praised for its concise and insightful analysis, making it a significant contribution to social thought[1][4][5].