A Study of Socially Shared Cognition in Design

Group working involves a group of players collaborating to achieve a common goal, within which players may have individual goals, but be working towards a common aim. Because design problems are multifaceted, solving them requires the contribution of many players. In the design context, the aim is a group design which may involve a group of players discussing a design proposal. This paper is an examination of a design-based group activity and it is shown how collaboration in a design meeting informs design by means of change, resistance, and creation in the design. It is concluded that collaboration is an integral part of a cognitive model of design. Technology that supports collaboration and in particular this interaction process is essential for the design.