With funding from the Schiff Foundation and the Graham Foundation for Advanced Studies in the Visual Arts, the Department of Architecture selected KFA to conduct the study, based on the qualifications of President Kristine Fallon. Ms. Fallon was elected to the College of Fellows of the American Institute of Architects in recognition of her contribution to introducing computer-aided design techniques into architectural practice. She is also an expert in CAD standards, data formats and conversion. The study’s Advisory Committee consisted of senior representatives of leading archival institutions, universities with advanced programs in computer-aided design, and technology vendors, as well as architects and industrial designers, many of whose work is already included in the Department of Architecture’s permanent collection.

The study addressed three major areas:
1. Collecting: How prevalent is the use of digital design tools and what kinds of digital data are designers creating? KFA approached this topic through in-depth case studies of nine projects at varying scales (industrial to urban design) at different firms. We also conducted an international survey to validate the case study findings and received responses from over 100 design firms worldwide.

2. Archiving: What are the steps and techniques necessary for a museum or archival institution to receive, catalog, manage, preserve and present digital design data? The report from this phase was over 100 pages and it covered the entire process, from data preparation in the design office and accession by the institution, through long-term digital preservation techniques and making the data accessible to the public.

3. Exhibiting: KFA researched the few exhibitions of digital design data to date and explored how institutions and educators are using digital "exhibits," in museums and on-line, to inform. We also organized a charette to design an exhibition of digital design data. Design team leaders for the charette were:
- Douglas Garofalo, FAIA, Garofalo Architects
- Martin Thaler, IDEO
- Joseph Valerio, FAIA, Valerio, Dewalt, Train