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Abstract:

The paper proposes a methodology for developing an active learning module adapted from the Kansei Engineering methodology that intends to engage and familiarize middle school students with basics of product design and the Kansei product design and culture, and develop design skills. The module includes an identification of the design elements of a selected product, the creation of an items/categories matrix, product clustering according to different criteria (shape, material, principle of operation), an analysis of product functions and main product characteristics, and an evaluation of products with a Kansei scale created by the students. This series of activities lead to a design-thinking-based product-design project culminating in the construction and evaluation of prototypes. It carefully considers how students can gradually learn by going from activity to activity leading to a design project. In doing so, important skills such as, among others, analytical thinking, divergent thinking, and critical thinking are intended to be practiced.

Keywords:

Education, Design education, Design process