Research helps in all stages of the design process both for getting an overview on existing ideas and their usage in the context and on expanding the own imagination and ideation. Typical approaches are of course through image search, but texts, articles, visits in museums, interviews, observations etc. are as well part of gathering meaningful information.
Experimenting is a concept- and parameter-free approach that is a work in progress and in the moment, which is depending on flow and a playful ply with association and interpretation techniques.
By concept, a theoretical idea or topic is meant, which is interpreted, associated and investigated through the form. Topics range from feelings, situations, relationships, statements, beliefs, criticism to concrete needs, improvements and technological innovations.
This method aims at defining parameters for the object of design. By setting constraints such as size, usage, capacity, shape etc. a certain variety of results appears naturally.
The final design concept and prototype should be functional in some sort of demo version, whether it is the material, usability, interaction etc.