Journal of Business and Technical Communication Oct 2019

Design Thinking in Technical and Professional Communication: Four Perspectives

Rebecca Pope-Ruark Elon University

Abstract

In this special issue, we explore design thinking as a broad conceptual process as well as a tool that might align with the work of technical and professional communication (TPC) programs. But what is design thinking? What are the benefits and drawbacks of the process? Can design thinking be used to help students address rhetorical challenges and complex problems? How is design thinking showing up in the field, and does it belong in TPC programs? Four scholars explore these questions in their niche areas: process, usability and user design, technical communication, and industry and programmatic perspectives.

Journal
Journal of Business and Technical Communication
Published
2019-10-01
DOI
10.1177/1050651919854094
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Topics
rhetorical criticism technical communication professional writing
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Citation Context

Cited by in this index (16)

  1. Coyle et al. (2026)
    Surveys as UXR: Using Design Thinking to Shape a Survey-Based UX Assessment for…
    IEEE Transactions on Professional Communication
  2. Menagarishvili et al. (2026)
    Configurations and Modalities: Student Preferences about Individual/Collaborati…
    Technical Communication Quarterly
  3. Tham (2025)
    Design Thinking in Business and Professional Communication Pedagogy: A Review o…
    Business and Professional Communication Quarterly
  4. Rea et al. (2024)
    Cultivating Empathic Engineering Design through UX Pedagogy: Challenges and Insights
    Communication Design Quarterly
  5. Smith et al. (2024)
    17 Students, 1 Project: Design Thinking Pedagogy for a Large-Scale UX Community…
    Communication Design Quarterly
Show all 16 →
  1. Thominet (2024)
    The Design of Grading
    Pedagogy
  2. Friess et al. (2023)
    Longitudinal Study of Usability and User Experience in Technical and Profession…
    IEEE Transactions on Professional Communication
  3. Tham et al. (2022)
    Extending Design Thinking, Content Strategy, and Artificial Intelligence into T…
    Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
  4. Andrews (2022)
    Designing a Course in Business Communication
    Business and Professional Communication Quarterly
  5. Pellegrini (2022)
    Composing Like an Entrepreneur: The Pedagogical Implications of Design Thinking…
    Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
  6. Pellegrini (2022)
    Review of "Design Thinking in Technical Communication: Solving Problems through…
    Communication Design Quarterly
  7. Tham (2022)
    Pasts and Futures of Design Thinking: Implications for Technical Communication
    IEEE Transactions on Professional Communication
  8. Tham (2021)
    Engaging Design Thinking and Making in Technical and Professional Communication…
    Technical Communication Quarterly
  9. Weedon et al. (2021)
    Embodied Genres, Typified Performances, and the Engineering Design Process
    Written Communication
  10. Verhulsdonck et al. (2021)
    Investigating the Impact of Design Thinking, Content Strategy, and Artificial I…
    Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
  11. Fuller et al. (2021)
    Conceptualizing Empathy Competence: A Professional Communication Perspective
    Journal of Business and Technical Communication

References (5)

  1. Bourdieu P. (1984)
    Distinction: A social critique of the judgement of taste
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     ↗
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  4. Norman D. (2010, June). Design thinking: A useful myth. Core77. Retrieved from https://www.core77.com/posts/1…
  5. Norman D. (2013, March). Rethinking design thinking. Core77. Retrieved from https://www.core77.com/posts/2457…
CrossRef global citation count: 27 View in citation network → Build reading path →

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