Chapter 6. Experience Design Disciplines

"In all matters, but particularly in architecture, there are these two points--the thing signified, and that which gives it its significance. That which is signified is the subject of which we may be speaking; and that which gives significance is a demonstration on scientific principle."

- Vitruvius

Design is not a monolithic domain, and so, this chapter addresses the following questions:

• What are the branches of design knowledge and practice?
• What are the shared design principles and challenges they address?

Marcus Vitruvius Pollio, better known as Vitruvius, addressed these questions 2000 years ago. While he focused on architecture, much of what he wrote about applies to the most advanced Experience Design technologies being developed today, and the ideas are as valid as they have been since he wrote them and throughout history.

Vitruvius was a Roman architect who is known as the author of De architectura, or Ten Books on Architecture, which he dedicated...