A Theoretical Framework of Co-purposing in Systems Design

The paper outlines a theoretical framework for the conceptualisation and design of collaborative systems for design organisations. The intent is to examine and support the idea of ‘co-purposing’ as an influential design metaphor for the analysis of design teams and the development of design support collaborative systems in contexts where systems’ designers collaborate with their clients. By offering associations to the work activities and the social interaction of designers in actual design workspaces, we propose that the metaphor of ‘co-purposing’ can stand as an alternative perspective in the analysis and design of potentially new realisations of computer supported cooperative work systems for supporting teamwork.