Design Science is a problem solving approach which entails a rigorous, systematic study of the deliberate ordering of the components in our Universe. Fuller believed that this study needs to be comprehensive to gain a global perspective when pursuing solutions to problems humanity is facing.

“The function of what I call design science is to solve problems by introducing into the environment new artifacts, the availability of which will induce their spontaneous employment by humans and thus, coincidentally, cause humans to abandon their previous problem-producing behaviors and devices. For example, when humans have a vital need to cross the roaring rapids of a river, as a design scientist I would design them a bridge, causing them, I am sure, to abandon spontaneously and forever the risking of their lives by trying to swim to the other shore.”

- R. Buckminster Fuller from Cosmography

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And people often used to ask Buckminster Fuller just what exactly he was and did? Sometimes he would respond to the first part of the question with the now oft-quoted statement, “I am not a noun - I seem to be a verb.” In answering the second part he would most importantly insist that he was not a specialist and would put forward his alternative, that he was a comprehensivist. Just as often he would refer to himself as a Design Scientist.