DREAMS: New Tool Streamlines Design Research Model Creation and Maintenance

Researchers have developed an early-stage prototype called DREAMS to address a longstanding friction point in design research: the laborious, repetitive work of building and revising visual models by hand.

The Problem with Current Practice#

Design research relies on structured representations—Reference Models and Impact Models—to document and communicate systematic findings. However, creating and maintaining these models remains largely a manual affair. Practitioners must repeatedly redraw diagrams, adjust layouts, and manage assumptions and supporting evidence through separate documents or annotations. As models grow more complex, this approach becomes increasingly time-consuming and error-prone, with cluttered visuals and revision headaches that can discourage thorough documentation.

How DREAMS Works#

DREAMS provides a dedicated modelling environment designed specifically for Design Research Methodology workflows. Users can construct typed causal models using domain-relevant elements, define signed causal relationships (positive and negative links), and attach assumptions, experiential inputs, and citations directly to individual causal connections. The tool also includes layout optimisation and search capabilities to enhance readability and make it easier to locate supporting information across models.

Early Evidence of Benefit#

A preliminary evaluation involved four design research practitioners comparing DREAMS against their standard manual modelling practice. The results suggest several practical improvements: reduced time to construct models, faster revision cycles, less effort spent repositioning elements, fewer edge crossings in diagrams, and quicker retrieval of evidence tied to causal claims. While the authors frame these findings as early indicators rather than definitive proof, they point toward meaningful gains in both efficiency and model clarity.

Broader Implications#

The work identifies key requirements for design-research-aligned modelling support and demonstrates how dedicated tooling can lower barriers to rigorous documentation. By reducing the friction around model creation and revision, DREAMS may encourage researchers to invest more effort in traceability—linking claims to evidence—and to iterate more freely on their conceptual frameworks.