Rhetorical Tools for Discovery and Amplification of Design Arguments

Abstract

Design processes and designed artifacts are perceived as instances of argumentation in this article. A design process is defined as a process of deliberation about what to do when seeking to design artifacts that aim to be persuasive about how we are to lead our lives. The intention of employing the argumentative perspective is to demonstrate how rhetorical theory, on discovery and amplification of arguments, may lend support to designers in two ways. One way is for the purpose of exploring abundant ways of designing design methods and processes. Another way is to support designers in discovering persuasive arguments about their choices. The article provides examples of how such a rhetorical design process may be carried out in practice.