Using Schema Theory to Construct the Designer’s Knowledge Framework

Design knowledge is often categorized as tacit knowledge, but it is not randomly scattered within the designer’s mind. Schema is used to capture the designer’s knowledge, representing the structure of knowledge. This study explores the formation and use of design knowledge among designers through in-depth interviews, analysis of precedent works, and design task testing, outlining the structure of design knowledge frameworks. The research reveals that design knowledge is stored in the form of conceptual schema at different levels. The classification of conceptual schema is closely intertwined with the design process and outcomes. The structural framework of conceptual schema plays a crucial role in the retrieval of design knowledge, with different types of conceptual schemas able to retrieve different knowledge.