CONFERENCES
E&PDE 2026 - 28th International Conference on Engineering & Product Design Education
The Conference will bring together representatives from education and industry interested in sharing new perspectives on design education.
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.
IMPLEMENTING CONTRACT GRADING IN A PRODUCT DESIGN COURSE TO PROMOTE ITERATION AND LEARNING THROUGH BUILDING
Benjamin, Stacy; Anderson, John
Type:
Year:
2026
Editor:
Buck, Lyndon; Brisco. Ross; Bohemia, Erik
Author:
Series:
E&PDE
Institution:
Northwestern University, United States of America
Page(s):
155 - 160
DOI number:
ISBN:
978-1-912254-24-8
ISSN:
3005-4753
Abstract:
We offer here a rationale for using contract grading in combination with design sprints in an upper-level undergraduate product design project course. Alternatives to grading, in particular contract grading and specification grading, have been gaining popularity in project-based courses across engineering disciplines. While students are highly motivated by grades, the fear of getting a poor grade can make students reluctant to experiment with unfamiliar design methods, and they often then resist building mockups early or often enough since they don’t yet know the “right” answer. To address these challenges, we have introduced: (1) contract grading based on completing checklists of design activities to shift the focus from performance outcomes to process engagement and iterative learning, and (2) structured design sprints to require the creation of mockups, at each stage. We find that combining the two promotes both flexibility and rigor: we communicate that trust in the design process will yield results, but we insist that the steps in the process be followed and documented. We detail the structure of this integrated approach, share insights from its evolution over multiple course offerings, and reflect on its impact on student behavior, learning outcomes, and project quality.
Keywords:
