Education-based research looks at education as an opportunity and resource for knowledge production.
Often, we talk of research-based education, meaning that the research results are quickly reflected in education. This is especially feasible in design because design education is project-based, and studio practice is central.
Education-based research combines individual freedom for the master’s students with the development of concepts, methods, cases and experience in practice.

Ski Systems Design –
Building Fjell skis as part of a broader mountain tourism system
A group of good students working on reflective practice in the studio while under the educator’s guidance, observation and analysis can be a great resource. Systems-oriented design is first regarded as a design skill – a skill that needs to be taught and trained. The research analysis systematises and develops the experience, theories and knowledge, as well as the methods for teaching and training the skills.
The next level of research is when a systems-oriented design is brought to the field. Collaborations are currently implemented to develop systems oriented design further and develop its usefulness as a tool that can aid in product and service development, helping organisations to thrive in a sustainable manner.
Systems oriented design is not a fully developed concept. I sincerely encourage everybody interested in contributing to developing a design proprietary approach to systems thinking and systems practice to contact me, Birger.Sevaldson@aho.no.
The research is carried out in the context of the Oslo School of Architecture and Design and the OCEAN design research network.
Design research publications
Discussions & Movements in Design Research: A systems approach to practice research in design
Birger Sevaldson
FORMakademisk Vol.3. nr.1. 2010
www.formakademisk.org
The Integrated Conglomerate Approach
Birger Sevaldson
Presented at the Doctoral Education in Design Conference in La Clusaz, 2000
Design Research Society.
Research on Digital Design Strategies
Birger Sevaldson
Presented at the “Useful and Critical” design research conference in Helsinki in 1999.
University of Industrial Arts Helsinki
Research Design in Design Research
Birger Sevaldson
Presented at the Cumulus conference in Rome,1999