Orientation to Design Research: The Basics
This orientation is intended to give new Design students an introduction to library resources. It shows the procedures for finding and getting books and articles, and finding and using image resources.
If you have any questions or problems, or need more help with your research, please don’t hesitate to contact Karen DeWitt, the Design Library staff, or the Ask Us service.
Spaces
Virtual tour of the Design Library
Explore Spaces in Hill and Hunt Libraries
Finding books
The basics of searching for books (video)
How to find a book on the shelf (video): be sure to notice when they talk about how to request a book and have it sent to another library. You can have books from the Hill, Hunt, or other libraries on campus sent to the Design Library using the request button.
Borrowing periods and fines and fee information
Finding journal articles
Finding journal articles in Summon (video)
Access Summon
Finding subject specific databases (video)
Design databases
Searching a database on a specific subject gives you a head start on searching because it is already limited to articles in your topic. These are short videos discussing the main article databases about design. You can find articles online, or request them from Interlibrary Services through the "Find Text at NCSU" link. We have other design databases as well, and you’re welcome to look in the advanced orientation to find out about those.
Avery Index to Architectural Periodicals
How to use the Avery Index database (video)
Access the Avery Index database
Art Index and Art Index Retrospective
How to use the Art Index and Art Index Retrospective databases (video)
Access Art Index article database
Access Art Index Retrospective database
Design and Applied Arts Index
How to use the Design and Applied Arts database (video)
Access database
Image databases
These databases hold images and information about all areas of art, architecture, and design. Use them to find out about designers or get ideas for your next project.
Design Library Image Database
The Design Library Image Database is in the process of being migrated to the Jstor platform and is not currently available.
ARTstor
ARTstor has recently been moved to Jstor. Use this guide to get started: Artstor on JSTOR: Working with images
Access ARTstor database
Citation management
Citation Management
Citation management software allows you to save and organize the information you find; the Libraries' Citation Management page lists various options and recommendations.
Borrowing technology
An assortment of technology is available to borrow from all the libraries on campus. Each item has its own borrowing period and overdue fees
Tech lending at the Design Library
Tech lending from other libraries at NC State
Tech lending fines and fees
Design Library Guide
This Design Library Guide is a quick guide to resources Design students may need.