Pre-Reflection-in-Action: Rethinking Schön's Reflective Practice Through the “Habits of Design Artistry”

Abstract

This article examines Donald Schön's positioning of reflective practice in relation to design. In particular, the focus is directed toward his presentation of the acting–thinking relationship. Questioning this presentation we turn to the work of philosopher John Dewey, who acted as one of Schön's key inspirational sources. Here, we consider Dewey's presentation of thought-in-action, artistry, and importantly, habit. We argue that a wider referencing of this material—most especially the art–habits relationship—holds the potential to expand the Schönian presentation of design, providing the field with a more nuanced modeling of what it means both to design and to become a designer.