Graphical ways of researching

This paper investigates the ways in which graphic design can be understood as a process of inquiry. Although the use of visuals has been widely accepted in research in various fields, researchers in sciences and humanities tend to position graphic design as a communication tool rather than a research strategy. Thus, the main purpose of adopting graphic works is often for visual presentations. As an emerging discipline with a lack of theoretical engagement (Noble & Bestley 2011), graphic design is overshadowed and its functions and implications have not been fully recognized. This essay aims to explicate knowledge from the graphic design process and understand the term 'graphic design' as a research strategy. In so doing, a clear distinction between two research areas which use visuals in their methodologies needs to be identified. The first is graphic design research which directly links to visuals and graphic design practices. This can refer to a practice-led paradigm so that the designer researchers can discover knowledge through their practices. The second is the research that uses visual data and/or visual presentations. This type of research can vary from the sciences to humanities. In order to reposition graphic design in research methodology, it is important to clarify the difference between these two categories. This would offer potential for graphic design to be accepted as a discipline that has its design methodology.