William Gaver explores research through design (RtD) in this essay, arguing that it produces provisional, contingent, and aspirational theories rather than rigorous, verifiable ones. He suggests that the diversity in RtD approaches is natural and not indicative of poor standards, but that the field should focus on annotating design examples rather than developing comprehensive theories. RtD is generative, creating new realities through design practice, and its theories should serve as annotations of these examples rather than replacements. The essay critiques the push for convergence and standardization in RtD, arguing that its strength lies in its ability to explore, speculate, and produce conceptually rich artifacts. It also discusses the role of theory in RtD, emphasizing that design examples are essential for understanding design theory, as they embody the designer's choices and judgments. Annotated portfolios, which combine specific design examples with conceptual annotations, are presented as a valuable alternative to formal theory in RtD. These portfolios highlight the diversity and richness of design practice, reflecting the field's lack of convergence as a strength rather than a weakness. The essay concludes that RtD should be appreciated for its ability to generate new realities and its role in producing conceptually rich artifacts through design practice.William Gaver explores research through design (RtD) in this essay, arguing that it produces provisional, contingent, and aspirational theories rather than rigorous, verifiable ones. He suggests that the diversity in RtD approaches is natural and not indicative of poor standards, but that the field should focus on annotating design examples rather than developing comprehensive theories. RtD is generative, creating new realities through design practice, and its theories should serve as annotations of these examples rather than replacements. The essay critiques the push for convergence and standardization in RtD, arguing that its strength lies in its ability to explore, speculate, and produce conceptually rich artifacts. It also discusses the role of theory in RtD, emphasizing that design examples are essential for understanding design theory, as they embody the designer's choices and judgments. Annotated portfolios, which combine specific design examples with conceptual annotations, are presented as a valuable alternative to formal theory in RtD. These portfolios highlight the diversity and richness of design practice, reflecting the field's lack of convergence as a strength rather than a weakness. The essay concludes that RtD should be appreciated for its ability to generate new realities and its role in producing conceptually rich artifacts through design practice.