Design Science

Design Science Bucky was the first sustainable designer of the 20th century, and his ideas have influenced numerous others. See the list in the Wikipedia article for examples. He named his discipli…

Page content (https://www.bfi.org/about-fuller/big-ideas/design-science/)

Skip to content Buckminster Fuller Institute BFI Design Lab Membership Donate Events Shop Search Log in Menu expanded Close collapsed About Fuller Big Ideas Buckminsterfullerene Design Science Design As Savior, Design As Slave Design Science – Edmondson Eight Strategies for Comprehensive Anticipatory Design Science Fuller on Design Science How Would You Define CADS? Dymaxion Car Dymaxion House Dymaxion Map Geoscope Geoscope quotes Global Electric Energy Grid Only Integrity is Going to Count Synergetics Systems Systems Change Tensegrity World Game The World Resources Simulation Center Biology Biography Introduction to Buckminster Fuller Who was Buckminster Fuller Fuller’s Influence Dymaxion American Experience and Experiencing Guinea Pig B Timeline Notes On Anne and Bucky Fuller’s Deaths Bibliography Articles About Fuller Articles by Fuller Books About Fuller Books by Fuller Introductions, Forewards, and Contributions Patents Domes Everything I Know World Design Science Decade Resources Programs BFI Design Lab Design Science Advisory Services Bioregional Financing Facilities Open Future Coalition Indigenous Rewilding Network Regenerosity OMNI-Mapping Project Water Cycle Restoration COBALT: Collaborative for Bioregional Action, Learning, and Transformation Symoto Design Science Studio Fiscal Sponsorship About BFI Our Story What We Do Who We Are FAQ Contact Licensing Research Legal Get Involved Donate Become a Member Work With Us Partnership Program Partners Trimtab Blog Videos Fuller Challenge Membership & Donate Dymaxion Marketplace Events Partners Contact Facebook Twitter Linkedin Youtube Vimeo Home About Fuller Big Ideas Design Science Design Science Bucky was the first sustainable designer of the 20th century, and his ideas have influenced numerous others. See the list in the Wikipedia article for examples. He named his discipline for coming up with inventions “Comprehensive Anticipatory Design Science” (CADS). Taking Each Word in Turn Comprehensive “Comprehensive” means to take a big picture view. Even before we start work on a new design, we zoom out to see what larger and slower systems will provide its context. Then we model the smaller and faster components which will comprise its internal workings. At that point we refocus to exclude what’s inapplicable in larger and smaller systems. This discipline of design science takes us from wholes to parts, without leaving out anything critical. Anticipatory “Anticipatory” means that we visualize a preferred future and work towards it. Bucky, an early futurist, contributed conceptual tools for thinking, as relevant today as ever, about systemic change, such as: trimtab, precession, and creating new models. Finally, Bucky said all of our work should use the tools of “Design Science.” Design Scientist “A design scientist , like many research scientists, does not wait to be hired by a patron or employer to do their bidding but rather takes the personal initiative to solve the problems that his/her experience has taught are important to solve for the betterment of humanity. Unlike “pure” science which sometimes claims to be value-free, design science is value-laden. Design is the development of structuring of environments in preferred directions. Our preferred directions, “where we want to go,” are determined by our values…” Medard Gabel, Ho-Ping: Food for Everyone Generalized Principles Design science involves discovering and using generalized principles. A “generalized principle” is a “law of nature” that describes interrelationships among system components. Bucky emphasized that every event and system is unique or special, yet generalized principles obtain in every special case, with no exceptions. One example of a generalized principle is: doing more with less. Bucky termed this trend “ephemeralization” (Arnold Toynbee: “etherealization”) and this principle is widely manifest in sustainable and regenerative designs. In a social sense, CADS applies generalized principles to the realization of designs in ways consistent with shared social values. An example of design science in action, is the World Game, wherein participants collaboratively work towards solutions to pressing problems on behalf of all humanity. Our hope is that, as the practice of CADS becomes more widespread, humans will come into greater alignment with universal patterns and with each other. Greater success for all humanity in harmony with other living systems would be an anticipated consequence. Overview of Design Science https://www.bfi.org/design-science/primer Membership Donate Programs BFI Design Lab Design Science Studio Fiscal Sponsorship About BFI Our Story What We Do Who We Are FAQ Contact Legal Challenge The Latest Dymaxion Marketplace Trimtab Newsletter Events Trimtab Blog About Fuller Big Ideas Biography Resources Bibliography Domes Everything I Know Get Involved Donate Become a Member Work With Us Partnership Program Partners Designed with WordPress. Hosted by Pressable. The Buckminster Fuller Institute is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. EIN # 95-3273023. Subscribe to our newsletter Subscribe Follow us Facebook Twitter Linkedin Youtube Vimeo Our Supporters Loading Comments... Write a Comment... Email (Required) Name (Required) Website