Research Guides: Design: Databases and Websites

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CQ Researcher This link opens in a new window
A database of in-depth, authoritative reports on a full range of political and social-policy issues extending back to 1923. Each report is footnoted and includes an overview, background section, chronology, bibliography and debate-style pro-con feature, plus tools to study the evolution of the topic over time

This page lists a number of databases helpful for doing research in design, subscribed to by University Libraries. It also includes links to websites that may be useful to you as you work through your design education here at OSU.

Databases Helpful for Design Research

ACM Digital Library [Selected Articles in Full Text] This link opens in a new window Includes bibliographic information, abstracts, reviews, and the full-text for articles published in ACM (Association for Computing Machinery) periodicals and proceedings since 1985. All publications cover topics in the computing field including computer science, computer technology, artificial intelligence, human-computer interaction, network technologies, business trends, computing standardization, the IT profession, programming languages, operating systems, distributed systems, data management, CAD, and systems security. While full-text is available for most articles, full-text is not yet available for every proceeding article published before 1991. As of September 30th, 1999, the library includes: 1)over 31,000 full-text articles from ACM journals, magazines, and conference proceedings 2) tables of Contents with over 7,000 citations from articles published in ACM journals and magazines from 1985 forward 3) tables of contents with nearly 35,000 citations from articles published in over 700 volumes of conference proceedings since 1985.

Art and Architecture Archive A full-text archive of magazines comprising key research material in the fields of art and architecture, dating from the late-nineteenth century to the twenty-first. Subjects covered include fine art, decorative arts, architecture, interior design, industrial design, and photography. The magazines are scanned from cover-to-cover and presented as full-color page images; detailed indexing permits quick, efficient searching and navigation of this material.

Art & Architecture Complete This link opens in a new window Art & Architecture Complete is the definitive research database for the study of art and architecture. This database provides full-text coverage of 380 periodicals and more than 220 books. In addition, this database offers cover-to-cover indexing and abstracts for more than 780 academic journals, magazines and trade publications, as well as for over 230 books. Art & Architecture Complete also provides selective coverage for 70 additional publications and an Image Collection of over 63,000 images provided by Picture Desk and others.
Business Source Complete [Selected Articles in Full Text] This link opens in a new window This is one of the best databases to search for scholarly literature on business research topics. The database contains indexing and abstracts for scholarly, peer-reviewed business journals back from 1886 to the present. Searchable cited references are provided for more than 1,400 journals.
Derwent Innovations Index This link opens in a new window Derwent Innovations Index provides access to more than 14,800,000 patents with links to cited and citing patents, cited articles, and full-text patent data sources.

Design & Applied Arts Index Design & Applied Arts Index currently contains over 130,000 annotated references from more than 500 design and craft journals published since 1973 with most articles from 1987 to present, and data on over 50,000 designers, craftspeople, studios, workshops, firms etc., making the largest database of its kind in the world.
Essay and General Literature Index Topics covered include art history & criticism, architecture & architectural history, archaeology, antiques, museum studies, graphic arts, industrial design, landscape architecture, interior design, folk art, painting, photography, pottery, sculpture, decorative arts, costume design, television and video, motion pictures, advertising art, non-western art, textiles and much more.
JSTOR JSTOR provides access to more than 10 million academic journal articles, books, and primary sources in 75 disciplines.

ULI development case studies This link opens in a new window Access to more than 450 detailed case studies of completed projects ranging from low-income housing to mixed-use downtown developments to commercial and industrial projects from 1981 to the present. The case studies provide photographs and site plans, information on costs and rents, innovative features and strategies of the project, and an explanation of the entire development process.

Websites & Design Examples

AIGA Design Archives The AIGA archives and special collections serve to identify, preserve, and make collections of enduring value available to the public. With more than 20,000 selections dating back to 1924, the AIGA Design Archives is a vital record of all disciplines of communication design.
The Center for Universal Design The Center for Universal Design (CUD) is a national information, technical assistance, and research center that evaluates, develops, and promotes accessible and universal design in housing, commercial and public facilities, outdoor environments, and products.
IDEO Case Studies IDEO is an international design firm that prides itself in innovation. This link shows case studies showcasing design projects.
Behance A website of design examples, with filters for different creative fields (fashion, interior design, industrial design, etc.)

Find eJournals

What is this searching? This search locates print and electronic journals in the OSU catalog. It covers only the titles of journals (e.g. American Journal of Sociology, Chronicle of Higher Education, Nature, New York Times), and not the articles within them. More Search Options >>

What is this searching? This search used the Online Journal Finder and covers only the titles of journals (e.g. American Journal of Sociology, Chronicle of Higher Education, Nature, New York Times), and not the articles within them.

Browse Online Journals >>

Use this service if you want to:

locate a specific online journal title,
browse a list of online journal titles,
identify online journal titles by subject.

Virtual Design Museum Tours

Bauhaus Archiv Museum The Bauhaus Archiv Museum has made available a number of different virtual experiences, available here.
Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum Virtual tour of collections at the Cooper Hewitt Smithsonian Design Museum.
The Design Museum, London Different ways to explore the Design Museum in London virtually.
Design Museum of Chicago The Design Museum of Chicago has moved their exhibitions online in response to COVID.
The Museum of Brands The Museum of Brands in London has put images of their galleries in Google Arts & Culture, as well as provided an online exhibit of historical packaging.
Victoria and Albert Museum The Victoria and Albert Museum has digitized and made available a number of their collections, available here.
Vitra Design Museumne The Vitra Design Museum in Germany has opened up most of its collection online. They also have tours on social media and various other digital initiatives.

Materials Research

Material District From the company: As the world’s leading network in the field  of innovative materials, MaterialDistrict empowers global innovation by match-making material needs with material solutions. The MaterialDistrict network encourages joint innovation towards a better, more sustainable and higher quality society.
Transmaterial A free catalog of materials.