Tuesday, March 10, 2026

‘Object Subjectified’

DITO [Data-Intelligence-Tangible Object]

Products of utility by daily universal users, products of operators’ use, products of enterprise users are becoming more embedded with digital intelligent technologies like AI with sensor driven systems data inputs or human behavior and pattern inputs as data, inputs from web resources.

Products have evolved from objects to subjects with personality, behavior, etc, where one would look at a product and instead of ‘what is it, would ask ‘Who is it’ …or get introduced to it as so and so…   

In this paradigm shift, away from the conventional ways of present and past, the Product Design Process for designers while conceptualizing and designing this subject would look and flow like this while the broad attributes of Meaningfulness, Compatibility, Universal, User agency remain primary:

The DITO Design Process

Map Context

(the purpose, environment of use, research, creative brief setting, user agency)

Capture Mental Models

(Users familiarity and unfamiliarity of use from past experience, user knowledge, use cognitive abilities and inabilities, user preoccupations & state of mind)

Identify Metaphor

(Give it an Identity)

Conceptualise Scenarios

(visualize the product in use by the universal users or target users as the case maybe)

Set Behaviors

(personality, characteristics)

Give Form

(Look, Touch & Feel)

Set Materials

(ecocomposite sustainables, perishable)

Make Actualise

(Collaborate, Build, Prototype, Test)

Fine tune

(Iterate, final design, Specifications)

Ship

The infographic developed in collab with notebookLM

Masters in design: Trajectory Qualification Curriculum

 This curriculum outlines key pointers for a progressive Masters in Design program, fostering deep expertise, adaptability, and leadership in design practice. It builds from foundational appreciation to strategic leadership, integrating systems thinking, innovation, and ethics.

Core Curriculum Key Pointers

  • Design Appreciation & Adoption
    Cultivating empathy and integration of design principles into diverse contexts.
  • Design Thought & Adaptation
    Evolving design methodologies to respond to dynamic challenges.
  • Research for Design
    Rigorous inquiry methods tailored to design innovation and problem-solving.
  • Contextual Mindfulness
    Awareness of cultural, environmental, and societal influences on design.
  • Conceptual Liberty
    Encouraging bold, unconstrained ideation and boundary-pushing creativity.
  • Visualisation & Demonstration Skills
    Mastering tools for communicating complex ideas through visuals and prototypes.
  • Intent Clarity
    Defining purpose-driven design outcomes with precision and focus.
  • Artefact/Product Service System Design
    Holistic development of tangible products, services, and integrated systems.
  • Action Inclusive Thought & Design
    Participatory processes that embed stakeholder agency from ideation to implementation.
  • Negotiate Design Requirements over Business Goals
    Balancing creative integrity with commercial viability and strategic alignment.
  • Innovation/Technology & Social
    Bridging tech with socially responsible outcomes.
  • Strategy & Presentation
    Formulating design strategies and pitching them effectively to stakeholders.
  • Creatives Management
    Leading teams of creatives through collaborative workflows and resource optimization.
  • Design Leadership
    Guiding organizations and projects toward design-centered transformation.
  • Design Ethics & Policy Framing
    Embedding moral frameworks and influencing policy for sustainable design practices.