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.
DESIGNING TO THRIVE – EXAMINING PERCEPTIONS AND EMBEDDING PRACTICE TO SUPPORT HUMAN FLOURISHING IN PRODUCT DESIGN STUDENTS AND EDUCATORS
Potter, Claire; Ponce Cuspinera, Luis; Ellis, Giles
Type:
Year:
2026
Editor:
Buck, Lyndon; Brisco. Ross; Bohemia, Erik
Author:
Series:
E&PDE
Institution:
University of Sussex, United Kingdom
Page(s):
191 - 196
DOI number:
ISBN:
978-1-912254-24-8
ISSN:
3005-4753
Abstract:
Human Flourishing - as defined by American psychologist, Martin Seligman – combines occupational and physical domains of human functioning such as meaning, purpose, personal growth and perceptions of happiness, joy, altruism and creativity. ‘Proactive’ aspects of creating wellbeing and human flourishing are not often embedded directly into courses, rather being picked up ‘reactively’ in universities through Student Services, which although excellent, are disconnected from daily teaching. Creative burnout is unfortunately very common in the design profession, therefore understanding and taking ownership of personal flourishing is a critical skill for students and teaching team alike. However, do we all know what flourishing looks like for ourselves as educators, or how it manifests in our students? And do students understand the same about us as educators? This paper examines two facets of human flourishing as it relates to engineering and product design education. Firstly, the results of a student-focused survey relating to subjective flourishing and the disconnect in its manifestation between student and educator. Secondly, how human flourishing and especially kindness - a key facet to support flourishing - can be embedded as an overarching framework within a module to create a greater depth of understanding of a design problem, and ultimately, of student (and client) flourishing needs. How can we teach, and design to thrive as individuals and a collective, not just survive?
Keywords:
