Towards an Information Archetypes Framework: Exploring the Types of Information Used in Open Source Design Engagements

Across disciplines such as software engineering to architectural design, it is well acknowledged that the different types of information employed during the design process impacts the potential of the final design. However, a lack of understanding exists about how designers utilize and navigate the abundance of complex information types, making it difficult to develop design methodologies that support the development of competitive products and services. As part of an ongoing effort to develop an Information Archetypes Framework, this study focuses on identifying the emergence of information dimensions and archetypes during decision making. This was accomplished through a detailed analysis of interviews with designers who engage in open source work as part of their employment. The findings of this study provide empirical evidence of the types of information used during the design process, validates existing information archetypes, and identifies new archetypes that emerge from co-occurring information dimensions.