The Taiwan-based Chinese Institute of Design published the first issue of the International Journal of Design. It is now available on-line at www.ijdesign.org

The International Journal of Design is a peer-reviewed journal devoted to publishing research papers in all fields of design, including industrial design, visual communication design, interface design, animation and game design, architectural design, urban design, and other design related fields. It aims to provide an international forum for exchange of ideas and findings from researchers across different cultures, by encouraging research on the impacts of cultural factors on design theory and practice. It also seeks to promote transfer of knowledge between professionals in academia and industry, by emphasising research where results are of interest or applicable to design practices.”

The editorial team, which is lead by Lin-Lin Chen (Graduate Institute of Design, National Taiwan University of Science and Technology), consists primarily of people from the academic world, and includes amongst others Christena Nippert-Eng and Ken Friedman. It is their aim “to publish high-quality design research, and to disseminate this research to the widest possible audience.”

Some highlights from the first issue:

• A Usability Evaluation of Web Map Zoom and Pan Functions Manlai You, Chun-wen Chen, Hantsai Liu, Hsuan Lin
  
• Guerrilla Wars in Everyday Public Spaces: Reflections and Inspirations for Designers Kin Wai Michael SIU
  
• Framework of Product Experience Pieter Desmet, Paul Hekkert
  

The on-line version is open access, freely available for anyone, anywhere to download, read, distribute, and use for non-commercial purposes with proper attribution. A printed version of the journal will also be available for the cost of printing and distribution.