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.

Pilot Study Understanding Students’ Perceptions of Failure in Product Design

Lauff, Carlye Anne (1); Friesen, Alexis (1); Menold, Jessica (2)


Type:
Year:
2023
Editor:
Kevin Otto, Boris Eisenbart, Claudia Eckert, Benoit Eynard, Dieter Krause, Josef Oehmen, Nad
Author:
Series:
ICED
Institution:
1: University of Minnesota; 2: Pennsylvania State University
Section:
Design Methods
Page(s):
2895-2904
DOI number:
Abstract:
Failure is part of the design process, and yet there is limited knowledge around how product design students perceive failure in their work. This pilot study aims to understand how a small sample size of undergraduate product design students conceptualize success and failure during specific stages of their design projects. This study uses a two-step data collection and analysis process. First, we collected responses from students on topics related to success and failure in a survey. Second, interviews were conducted with a subset of the survey respondents where these emergent topics were discussed and refined. In analyzing the responses, the research team used the Double Diamond Design process framework to organize what factors students deemed a success or failure within each stage. In summary, our preliminary findings indicate that determining success or failure is driven by the connection to the problem statement regardless of the stage; that student designers refer to failure as a spectrum but then in their examples showcase a binary view on the topic; and that examples of failure are often the opposite of success, reinforcing the notion of binary success vs. failure during student design projects.
Keywords:

This site uses cookies and other tracking technologies to assist with navigation and your ability to provide feedback, analyse your use of our products and services, assist with our promotional and marketing efforts, and provide content from third parties. Privacy Policy.