Generative sensing in design evaluation

• Analyses design evaluation conversations for forms of logical reasoning.
• Conversations include considerations of ‘what is’ and ‘what can be’.
• Evaluations lead to hypotheses that resolve or undermine logic of current concept.
• Evidence points to a new model of design thinking called generative sensing.
• Generative sensing creates ways through a design problem.

The analysis of design review conversations from a junior-level undergraduate industrial design course and an entrepreneurship course uncovered a new pattern of design thinking. Design thinking during concept evaluation contains a recursive hypothesis-driven pattern that we name generative sensing. Generative sensing commences with deductive reasoning from established rules to a definitive conclusion in favour of or against a concept. These conclusions become the basis for new hypotheses that suggest actions to address problems or invite rebuttals to defend the original logic of the concept. Generative sensing is a pattern of design thinking that creates ways through the design problem by testing propositions in a recursive manner.