Two laws of design

Abstract

One of the major aims of design theory is to construct explanatory models that further enhance our understanding of design as a cognitive act. The search for such models raises the question as to whether there are, in fact, laws of design that are valid across the ‘sciences of the artificial’. In this paper, we present what we believe are two such qualitative laws. The ideas embedded in these laws have long been part of the ‘folk theory’ of design. Their main significance as stated here lies in the fact that the laws have been derived systematically from, and are supported by, well known knowledge level constructs; and in the conciseness, unambiguity and testability of their presentation.