Discovering what designers do

This paper presents selected aspects of the experience and the outcomes of two DTI - SERC/EPSRC funded projects in design research and discusses how they might be applicable to the teaching of engineering design in universities. The genesis of the two projects is discussed focusing on the concept of the Design History Editor and the development from this of the Online Design Journal and the Designer's Assistant. The way in which these two software tools work together to detect, record, and retrieve work according to the concerns addressed is indicated. Possibilities are suggested for using these tools for support in the teaching of design.