The program, originally called Design Research, was co-founded with interim dean Deborah Rubin.

The reason it was called the Design Research program is because it actually evolved from the idea that design really requires an evidence base, a basis in participation and what people are doing, what people are thinking, and how they're living their lives as a part of one of the drivers of design.

It's very interdisciplinary.

It draws on anybody who is in the design world wanting to change how they're approaching design to be focused on an evidence-based process.

There's many different ways that evidence or research can drive design.

In a day-to-day practice, it's actually about a- having conversations and being boots on the ground.

So you go out, you are part of a community, or you're in a space, or you're experimenting with technology and talking to people about it.

Creating a standard like this has opened up the potential for piloting the 2nd Story approach in new communities.