Idiot Designs

Introduction

A research-based designer who adopts the persona of the "Idiot" leverages curiosity, naivety, and intentional unknowing to question assumptions and reveal hidden insights within design research. By embracing this stance, the designer suspends expertise, approaching each problem with fresh eyes and a willingness to appear "foolish" to explore unexpected pathways. This approach values misunderstanding, ambiguity, and even error as powerful tools to disrupt conventional thinking and uncover insights that might be overlooked by more "expert" perspectives. The "Idiot" persona is thus a strategic attribute in design research, enabling a process that is open-ended, radically inclusive, and deeply reflective, resulting in designs that resonate with complexity and authenticity.