Per Galle is an associate professor at the Danish Design School, where he teaches design theory.

Per Galle’s research addresses the theory of science and the theoretical basis of design research: What does it mean to develop design into an academic discipline underpinned by research? On what philosophical basis can a theory of and for design be developed? Per Galle works with theory that should not only be able to explain design as a phenomenon, but which should also be useful for practising designers.

The relatively new research field of design philosophy plays a key role in Per Galle’s work. He has also studied design decisions and their knowledge base and the argumentation forms that characterise the field.

In particular, Per Galle is interested in language and in the clarification of concepts. He questions whether design research can simply take over the language used in other scientific fields. These terminologies have mainly been developed to describe the world as it already is, while designers deal with something that does not exist yet. Per Galle considers it essential that the theories applied in design research relate to design practice.

Per Galle’s earliest research was about using computers and combination search methods to generate possible solutions to practical problems, for example with regard to the allocation of space when designing floor plans or construction plans. Since then, he has also used his professional background as an architect and a computer scientist to work with systems for IT-based product modelling in the construction industry. This endeavour was aimed at minimising problems in construction practices by letting all the involved professionals – engineers, plumbers, workmen, etc. pull drawings and information about the end-product from one common IT-model/database. Through this practice-oriented development process, Per Galle became increasingly aware of the need to clarify certain fundamental concepts. This inspired him to delve into the field of design philosophy.

Per Galle is the director of the international organisation Centre for Philosophy and Design. He is also a member of the editorial team for the journal Design Studies published by the international scientific publishing house Elsevier and of the editorial team for Copenhagen Working Papers on Design, which is published by the Danish Design School. In 2006 Per Galle was appointed Fellow of the Design Research Society (FDRS).

Per Galle graduated as an architect from the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts, School of Architecture in 1975 and earned his Ph.D. in computer science from the University of Copenhagen in 1987.