Systemic design research aspires to an understanding of whole system contexts, cycles of change, and to account for the effects on non-humans and actants in designed environments. There is no centre in systemic design research—it is not system-centred.
Harold Nelson: It is obvious that we need to reestablish new broadband designs of inquiry to supplement and balance the dominance of narrowband inquiring systems in a world recognized to be more complex and entangled than imagined, and more challenged by complex technologies than ever expected.
Louis Kauffman: What if one also knows a theory? How will that affect the process? Can new theory also evolve with the help of systemic design? What does it mean to creatively use theory and reasoning? Will not such use, if creative, go beyond standard logical reasoning into the use of dialogue and imagination? Will not creative use of theory lead both to new designs and to new theory? It is our contention that the answer to all these questions is a resounding yes.
Tony Fry: Animate existence (including our own) is the consequence of relations within and between multiple intertwined ecologies.