Design Theory is a term that captures scientific theories of design, creativity and innovation in design, formal design methods, product modeling, design pedagogy, and design management. Design theory fundamentally enables design exploration. The following book and links are some resources that can help in better understanding design theory.
Product Development
By Chris Mattson and Carl Sorensen
This book carefully lays out the fundamentals of product development and provides a tools for designers to construct customized product development process.
BYU Design review
Interested in design, commentaries and interviews with engineers? Check out the BYU Design Review!
Quantifying the Effects of Various Factors on the Utility of Design Ethnography in the Developing World by Wood, A. E. and Mattson, C. A., Research in Engineering Design
Over-Design Versus Redesign as a Response to Future Requirements by Allen, J. D., Stevenson, P. D., Mattson, C. A., and Hatch, N. W, Journal of Mechanical Design, 2019, Vol. 141 No. 3
Design for excess capability to handle uncertain product requirements in a developing world setting by Allen, J. D., Thacker, K. S., Mattson, C. A., and Ferguson, S. M., Research in Engineering Design, 2017, Vol. 28