Problem:
This article focus on importance of design synthesis as an abductive sensemaking process of manipulating, organizing, pruning, and filtering data in the context of a design problem, in an effort to produce information and knowledge, and has introduced three methods of formalizing the synthesis process in practice. Each of the methods--reframing, concept mapping, and insight combination--emphasizes prioritizing, judging, and forging connections. These qualities are derived directly from the logical processes of abduction and the cognitive psychology theory of sensemaking.
When synthesis is "given its due," the results appear to be magical. By applying these methods in practice, by commonly and continually describing the role of synthesis, and by considering synthesis in Design Research, both practitioners and researchers can better realize how life experience drives design decisions, and how inferential leaps can systematically drive innovation.