Enhancing the potential of design conferences

A study of six international design conferences was carried out in 2002, to review opportunities for improving inter and intra-disciplinary knowledge dissemination. A metacognitive perspective (Flavell, 1979) was adopted for the consideration of individual differences and their affect upon delivery and reception of information. A participative observational method was used by the investigator, as a presenter and audience member at all six conferences. This investigation reviewed conference organisation, venue facilities, presentation format, delivery, and audience comments. The investigator’s presentations were all delivered using the same format, which aimed to facilitate ease of contextualisation and retention of information. It was concluded that there are a number of quality improvements that can be adopted in the short and mediumterm, by organisers, presenters and audience members.