dencadrer

Dencadrer is a neologism used in French design thinking and critical theory to denote the deliberate removal or relaxation of formal frames that constrain a problem or project. The word combines de- (removal) with encadrer (to frame or supervise). It signals an approach aimed at widening the field of inquiry by loosening boundaries, rather than tightening them. The term appeared in design discourse in the early 2020s and has been employed to discuss methods that foster openness and cross-disciplinary collaboration.

Practically, dencadrer involves reframing problems with open prompts, assembling diverse teams, and extending exploration timelines to allow unexpected connections. It contrasts with restrictive framing that limits scope early on, and proponents argue that dencadrer helps surface hidden assumptions and alternative perspectives, while critics worry it can lead to scope creep or ambiguity.

Applications span product design, urban planning, organizational development, and research development. Examples include a design sprint that begins with a broad user-need landscape rather than a precise brief, or a cross-disciplinary workshop that pairs designers with scientists and artists to prototype in a shared space.

See also encadrement, désencadrer, design thinking, boundary objects.