Capturing design rationale in High Value Low Volume (HVLV) capital goods is challenging due to tacit knowledge and the lack of structured modelling support. This study addresses this gap by developing an ontology for Encapsulation Architecture design rationale. The Design Research Methodology is followed, comprising a Research Clarification phase and a Descriptive Study 1 phase based on a single industry case study involving practitioner reviewed requirements related to Encapsulation Architecture design rationale modelling. The resulting ontology identifies 10 key concepts — including Variability Needs, Variability Need Possible Choices, Product Structuring Principles, and Design and Delivery Flows — and provides a basis for future information model and tool development in the HVLV capital goods context.

Many visualization systems have been developed to present kinematic data in upper-limb rehabilitation, but few are structured around clinical interpretive workflows. This study introduces a therapist-focused visualization design intended to align upper-limb kinematic data with clinical reasoning processes. The design was developed through a focused mini-review of existing systems and demonstrated using a prototype dashboard. It integrates spatial, temporal, and quantitative information into a single display. By structuring commonly used kinematic metrics and qualitative movement views into a clear format, the proposed design provides a conceptual foundation for developing more clinically informed visualization systems in rehabilitation.

Water distribution networks experience substantial losses due to leakage, while systematic inspection of small-diameter pipes remains economically unfeasible with current technologies. This paper proposes Design by Analogy (DbA) as a structured approach to transfer mature inspection principles from oil and gas pipelines to water infrastructure. Using Gentner’s structure-mapping framework, functional relationships in oil and gas in-line inspection (ILI) are analysed and mapped to the constraints of water distribution systems. A case study compares permanent magnet landmarks used in oil and gas pipelines with RFID-based landmarks adapted for water pipes. The structural similarity between the two systems demonstrates how relational transfer, rather than direct technological replication, can yield solutions better suited to branching, small-diameter networks. The study argues that DbA can accelerate development and reduce exploration costs by leapfrogging the early exploration phase, while highlighting the risks of design fixation and overengineering.

This study explores how Pattern Language (PL) can function as a design card–based support tool for non-designers engaged in addressing social issues. In contemporary society, where “wicked problems” require broad participation beyond professional designers, many non-designers operate without access to expert facilitation. To support these non-designers, we developed an original PL for Social Service Design. The pattern set was evaluated in the context of elementary and secondary education, with a focus on designing inquiry-based learning programs in Japan. The results showed that the patterns enabled participants to verbalize and structure their implicit practices, and the patterns related to “Research” and “Visioning” were prioritized. These findings highlight the context-dependence of design patterns and provide practical guidance for utilising design cards for non-designers’ environments.