SENSEMAKING IN THE DESIGN SPACE: IN-BETWEENNESS AND IDENTITY CONSTRUCTION OF DESIGN MANAGERS
Proceedings of the Sixth International Conference on Design Creativity (ICDC 2020)
Year: 2020
Editor: Boujut, Jean-François ; Cascini, Gaetano ; Ahmed-Kristensen, Saeema ; Georgiev, Georgi V. ; Iivari, Netta
Author: Pääkkönen, Tarja; Sarantou, Melanie; Miettinen, Satu
Series: ICDC
Institution: Faculty of Art and Design, University of Lapland, Rovaniemi, Finland
Page(s): 152-159
DOI number: https://doi.org/10.35199/ICDC.2020.19
Abstract
Identities and notions of the in-betweenness of designers in management positions in Silicon Valley might be shaped by one another given changing sensemaking contexts. As organising becomes less bounded with shorter job tenures designers have been constructing their identities in interactions with diverse stakeholders. Tools, skills and values together with previous experiences continuously shape design manager identities. This research explored design manager in-betweenness by linking it with identity construction, critical sensemaking and social constructionism. While hybrid design managers produce profits and innovations by utilising user data, they also might steer their organisations towards more inclusive values and global responsibility. Internal struggles may follow while there is a need for open interdisciplinary reflection. A broader global understanding of the design space is suggested. Implications for education extend beyond the design field. Deeper reflection on ethics and production consequences across occupational silos enhances critical thinking, enabling collective identity cultivation in organisational sensemaking.
Keywords: identity construction, in-betweenness, design space, strategy, sensemaking