Metaphors and Systems

Lockton, Dan (2021) Metaphors and Systems. In: Relating Systems Thinking and Design (RSD10) 2021 Symposium, 2-6 Nov 2021, Delft, The Netherlands.

Abstract

A variety of metaphors are commonly used in systemic design to make abstract concepts more concrete, externalised, and engageable-with, to enable constructs to be discussed and dealt with, and to generate new ideas. This practice builds on a long history of metaphor use in systems theory and cybernetics, and can involve a focus on language, drawing and diagrams, or physical modelling, among other approaches. However, the implications of common metaphors used in systemic design have perhaps not been elaborated and examined. This short paper proposes a discussion and activity over the course of RSD10 in which conference participants contribute and reflect on metaphors in use, tacitly or otherwise, and consider the possibilities offered by alternatives

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Official URL:	https://openresearch.ocadu.ca/id/eprint/3865/
Item Type:	Conference or Workshop Item (Paper)
Depositing User:	Deirdre Canavan
Date Deposited:	30 Jun 2025 09:58
Last Modified:	30 Jun 2025 09:58
URI:	https://norwichuni.repository.guildhe.ac.uk/id/eprint/17416

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