1 Model of Meta-Reflection and In-Depth Analysis of Knowledge Creation Process in Design Georgi V. Georgiev* Japan Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Japan Yukari Nagai Japan Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Japan ABSTRACT The purpose of this research is to propose a model of meta-reflection and in-depth analysis of the knowledge creation process (KCP). We focus on observation of the KCP in research on creative design. The new method of meta-reflection is applied both to reflection on ‘research about design creativity’ and object of research—‘design creativity’. One result of the applied method of meta-reflection was that the analysis of KCP in research on design involved different tacit forms of knowledge and creativity and included a wide spectrum of knowledge processes and knowledge types. We identified the roots of creativity and imagination, which then stemmed into certain parts of research activities, such as development of hypotheses and theory proposition. We produced a model of meta-reflection (MMR) and an in-depth analysis of the KCP. This study is a step that provides understanding of the role that human creativity and imagination play in research. Keywords: Knowledge creation, Knowledge science, Knowledge process analysis, Knowledge creation theory, In-depth analysis of knowledge, Reflection, Meta-reflection, Reflective verification, Creative design research, Creativity and imagination INTRODUCTION Knowledge is a subject of investigation in many studies on the processes involved in scientific research. However, the role of creativity and imagination in research environments is not yet understood from the point of view of knowledge processes and knowledge creation. This lack of understanding is the main motivation for undertaking this research. The purpose of this research is to propose a model of meta-reflection and in-depth analysis of knowledge creation processes (KCPs). We pay attention to possibilities for describing knowledge creation processes emerging in research projects. Moreover, this paper addresses the importance of meta-reflection on knowledge creation processes in research projects. We focus on observation of the KCP in case of research on creative design, particularly on the role that imagination plays there. The particular case we focused on is a research project about creative design, i.e. this is a case where creativity is an object of investigation in the research project and is an element involved in the knowledge creation process. Thus, the objectives of the work are to investigate the KCP in creative design, and to provide a new method based on meta-reflection.