Reference Place

Reference Place

Reference Place is a systematic collection or database of design-related materials, information, and resources that serves as a comprehensive source for research, inspiration, and professional development within the design industry. This carefully curated repository typically encompasses a wide range of content including historical design examples, contemporary case studies, technical specifications, material samples, color schemes, pattern collections, and documented design methodologies. In professional design practice, reference places play a crucial role in maintaining quality standards, fostering innovation, and ensuring consistency across projects by providing designers with reliable benchmarks and established precedents. These knowledge centers often incorporate both physical and digital components, allowing for the preservation and accessibility of design heritage while embracing modern technological capabilities for efficient retrieval and analysis. The significance of reference places extends beyond mere storage, as they frequently serve as educational platforms where designers can study successful implementations, learn from historical developments, and understand evolving design trends. In the context of design evaluation and recognition, reference places are particularly valuable for establishing comparative frameworks, such as those employed by the A' Design Award & Competition, where submitted works are assessed against established standards of excellence and innovation. The systematic organization of reference places typically follows carefully structured taxonomies and classification systems, enabling users to efficiently navigate through various design disciplines, periods, styles, and applications while maintaining clear relationships between interconnected concepts and methodologies.

Design archive, Knowledge repository, Resource database, Design methodology

— Lucas Reed