Aim and Scope

Integrated Design Research (IDR) Journal

A Cross Disciplinary Design Research Journal

Integrated Design Research (IDR) Journal
A Cross-Disciplinary Design Research Journal

Mission

Integrated Design Research (IDR) Journal is committed to advancing rigorous and critically engaged design discourse, positioning design as a field of knowledge, practice, and societal contribution. Situated within and in dialogue with Asia and the Global South, the journal foregrounds diverse and pluralistic design knowledge from historically underrepresented contexts, supporting research that brings forward alternative histories, practices, and ways of knowing. The journal recognises design not only as a creative act, but as a mode of inquiry that generates knowledge through analytical, empirical, and practice-led approaches. It embraces interdisciplinary, multidisciplinary, and transdisciplinary perspectives, fostering intersections between diverse knowledge systems, methods, and practices. Maintaining an open and inclusive global outlook, the journal encourages critical dialogue, comparative perspectives, and knowledge exchange across regions and disciplines. By connecting design research, education, practice, and industry, it supports a broad community of scholars, educators, practitioners, and emerging researchers, contributing to the advancement of design as a dynamic, contextually grounded, and globally relevant discipline.

Aims

The Integrated Design Research (IDR) Journal is an international academic journal dedicated to advancing the exploration, development, and dissemination of pluralistic design knowledge across diverse domains of inquiry. The editorial aim is to publish high quality scholarly work that engages a broad audience of researchers, educators, practitioners, and industry professionals. The journal welcomes original research that examines, informs, and advances design through theoretical, methodological, historical, and practice-led perspectives, supporting inquiry into the processes, contexts, and outcomes of design across its many applications. Positioned within, and in dialogue with, Asia and the Global South, the journal contributes to expanding and rebalancing global design discourse by foregrounding diverse knowledge systems, cultural contexts, and practices. At the same time, it maintains an open and inclusive global outlook, encouraging comparative perspectives, critical dialogue, and knowledge exchange across regions and disciplines. The journal establishes a distinctive position by integrating research about design, for design, and through design, fostering a dynamic relationship between critical inquiry and applied practice. It supports discourse across a wide range of design domains and contexts, engaging both established and evolving areas of design research, practice, and innovation. Through this, the Integrated Design Research (IDR) Journal advances design discourse through the following aims:

Advancing Design Discourse in Asia
Position the journal as a leading platform for design research emerging from Asia, contributing to global knowledge by foregrounding regional perspectives, histories, and contemporary practices within an international dialogue, while supporting the development of design as a rigorous field of inquiry through theory, methodology, and critical analysis.

Engaging with Vernacular Knowledge and Practices
Support research that investigates indigenous, local, and vernacular knowledge systems as critical sources of design insight, recognising their role in shaping culturally grounded and contextually responsive practices, and contributing to more plural and situated understandings of design.

Recognising the Role of Design Subcultures
Encourage inquiry into diverse and often underrepresented design practices, communities, and subcultures, acknowledging their role in shaping alternative narratives and evolving design identities, while supporting integrative and cross disciplinary modes of inquiry and practice led and experimental research.

Strengthening the Creative Economy through Research and Practice
Promote research that connects design with industry, production, and innovation, supporting the development of the creative economy through meaningful engagement between research, practice, and entrepreneurship, while critically examining the broader social, cultural, environmental, and economic impacts of design.

Scope

The Integrated Design Research (IDR) Journal seeks to expand the boundaries of design knowledge by encouraging submissions that challenge conventional frameworks and contribute to evolving design discourse. The journal embraces a wide range of design domains and approaches, unified through its commitment to integrative, cross-disciplinary research and critical inquiry. It welcomes contributions that engage diverse cultural, contextual, and methodological perspectives, reflecting the plural and evolving nature of design. The journal welcomes contributions across the following thematic areas:

1. Society and Culture Explores design as a cultural and social practice, examining how it reflects, shapes, and critiques identities, narratives, and social systems across diverse contexts.

• Design and cultural representation
• Social design and community engagement
• Design for inclusion and participation
• Identity, storytelling, and communication
• Sociocultural transformation through design

2. Vernacular Knowledge and Practice Engages with indigenous, local, and traditional knowledge systems as vital sources of design insight, practice, and innovation, contributing to contextually grounded and plural understandings of design.

• Indigenous and craft-based practices
• Material culture and traditional technologies
• Heritage, preservation, and design
• Informal and community-based systems
• Embodied knowledge and knowledge transmission

3. Economy and Industries Examines the role of design within economic systems, production networks, and industries, with a focus on innovation, value creation, and the development of the creative economy.

• Design and the creative economy
• Design management and entrepreneurship
• Branding, packaging, and product systems
• Industry-driven design innovation
• Design policy and economic development

4. Design Pedagogy and Thinking Focuses on design education, learning environments, and the development of design thinking and cognition across diverse educational and professional contexts.

• Design education and curriculum development
• Teaching and learning practices
• Design cognition and thinking processes
• Interdisciplinary learning environments
• Future-orientated design education

5. Design Across Technologies Explores the relationship between design and technological systems, including digital, computational, and emerging technologies, and their implications for practice and society.

• Interaction and user experience design
• Service and systems design
• Digital and computational design
• Design for artificial intelligence and emerging technologies
• Media, communication, and technological interfaces

6. Circularity and Sustainability Addresses environmental and sustainability challenges through design, focusing on circular systems, material innovation, and responsible futures.

• Sustainable design strategies and systems
• Circular systems and material innovation
• Ecological and environmental design
• Resource efficiency and lifecycle thinking
• Design for resilience and climate futures