Knowledge Base Repository
In addition to research papers, the Design Society is developing several valuable resources for those interested in the study of design. These include a repository of PhD theses, a library of case studies and transcripts of design activities, and an archive of our newsletters. Please note that these resources are accessible exclusively to Design Society members.
‘ONE THING BETTER’ AND ‘REDESIGNING DESIGN EDUCATION’ - A COLLABORATION BETWEEN INDUSTRY AND ACADEMIA
Forkes, Andrew; Cooper-Wright, Matt
Type:
Year:
2016
Editor:
Erik Bohemia, Ahmed Kovacevic, Lyndon Buck, Christian Tollestrup, Kaare Eriksen, Nis Ovesen
Author:
Series:
E&PDE
Institution:
London South Bank University, IDEO London
Section:
External Collaboration
Page(s):
406-411
ISBN:
978-1-904670-62-9
Abstract:
The Design industries are in positive flux and academia is trying to follow the pace as best it can;
however some of the structures within academic frameworks restrict flexibility to mimic an industrial
scenario. This disconnect can be compounded by educational alignment issues where different
academic levels i.e. school to university can have large gaps between academic, industry and student
expectations.
This paper frames the collaboration, design and explorative stages between the authors, through
prototyping a new final year module called Service and System Design. The research project intends
to start with some tangible experiences for the authors and students alike and ultimately is anticipated
to have wider impact within the author’s institution and beyond. For the first of the two theme based projects, the students are tasked to focus on designing ‘One thing
better’ in the context of the module. This project is intended to generate evidence for the industry
partner to understand the level of students’ abilities so that the support mechanisms can be tailored for
an improved outcome on the second larger project, ‘Redesigning Design Education’. This project
takes a deeper dive approach with the intention of students following the project theme and reflecting
on their own ‘design learning’ experiences, using those as a catalyst guided by both industry and
academic. The research evidenced in this paper has been carried out with a pre –process focus, with the intention
of provoking dialogue within the design disciplines academic and industrial communities so that
further developments can be integrated into multi-disciplinary projects as the next stage of the
research activity.
however some of the structures within academic frameworks restrict flexibility to mimic an industrial
scenario. This disconnect can be compounded by educational alignment issues where different
academic levels i.e. school to university can have large gaps between academic, industry and student
expectations.
This paper frames the collaboration, design and explorative stages between the authors, through
prototyping a new final year module called Service and System Design. The research project intends
to start with some tangible experiences for the authors and students alike and ultimately is anticipated
to have wider impact within the author’s institution and beyond. For the first of the two theme based projects, the students are tasked to focus on designing ‘One thing
better’ in the context of the module. This project is intended to generate evidence for the industry
partner to understand the level of students’ abilities so that the support mechanisms can be tailored for
an improved outcome on the second larger project, ‘Redesigning Design Education’. This project
takes a deeper dive approach with the intention of students following the project theme and reflecting
on their own ‘design learning’ experiences, using those as a catalyst guided by both industry and
academic. The research evidenced in this paper has been carried out with a pre –process focus, with the intention
of provoking dialogue within the design disciplines academic and industrial communities so that
further developments can be integrated into multi-disciplinary projects as the next stage of the
research activity.
Keywords:
