A reflective approach to learning in a global design product (original) (raw)

Reflective Practice in Design Thinking, Learning and Performing Product and Process Development

2012

This paper argues that educating engineers based on “traditional” engineering is not enough. It is becoming more and more important to build bridges to other disciplines as “innovation” and “design” and to build “multidisciplinary” environments to be successful in business and in research. The objective of the paper is to discuss how changes in education can prepare students in a better way for future work in the industry. The results in this paper are discussed in relation to Malardalen University in Sweden and an ongoing attempt to develop the education in engineering design in a multidisciplinary academic milieu.

Cross-Cultural Design (CCD) Learning Reflective Tool Based on UK and Korea's Collaborative design Projects

2016

This paper seeks to outline a new methodology for Cross-Cultural Design (CCD) practice and education. By developing a reflective CCD Learning tool based on Donald Schon’s theory of “reflection-in/on-action” it seeks to develop tools for “reflection-for-action” i.e. tools that generate new possibilities, and spaces for, Cross-Cultural-Design practices. In conclusion it discusses the viability and efficacy of these tools as they have been deployed in a number of different CCD contexts.

A novel design education approach for professional global product realization

Emerging trends in design practice, such as collaborative design and multi-national, multi-cultural and multi-disciplinary (multi-x) teamwork, call for ongoing changes in design education. Educational institutions need to be proactive in adapting to such trends, in order to ensure an adequate development of the design competences of their students. The graduated design students must be able to effectively solve real-life new product development (NPD) problems in multi-x environments. In this paper we present a novel approach towards design education, where special focus is put on multi-x collaboration of design students in solving NPD tasks. We present the idea of an Academic Virtual Enterprise (AVE), a project oriented educational agreement, which is based on volatile alliance of industrial and academic partners for mutual advantages. A course, called Global Product Realization (GPR) is presented as an example of how to implement AVE into design education and provide a stimulating ...

Design learning: a reflective model

Design Studies, 2009

In response to the changing university context, a model for the teaching of Interior Design was developed. Traditional lecture/project-based tutorial structures are replaced by an integrated and interactive model. Aimed to address the demands of the contemporary context, while enabling meaningful learning, it has proven to have much potential. The Model is introduced firstly, by outlining a learning strategy, secondly by describing its structure and content, and thirdly, by identifying key aspects of the learning context. Its achievements are also presented, while acknowledging aspects that could be improved. It offers an innovative alternative mode of learning and teaching interior design.

Global Design: Innovative curricula towards global collaboration.

de Vere, I., Gill, C. (2010) Global Design: innovative curricula towards global collaboration. 2nd ConnectED International Conference on Design Education, Sydney, Australia

Increasingly design teams are engaged in distributed globalworking in either synchronous or asynchronous time modes.Such scenarios present diverse workplace challenges withregard to communication, coordination and collaboration.Distributed design teams occupy both physical and virtualenvironments, and project managers must address issuesrelating to trust, unrealistic or inequitable expectations,cultural diversity, challenging logistics and unusual groupdynamics. Differing work methods and behaviour may resultin inter-team rivalry, misconceptions and unintendedconsequences with regard to project intent, processes andoutcome. Tools, teams and environments must be carefullystructured and managed to realise the potential strengths of global distributed design.Contributing to the Erasmus Mundus Global InnovationManagement course, the ‘Global Design’ unit addressesglobal product design and team management, whereconcurrent or sequential activities occur with responsibilitiesshared amongst distributed teams with limited informalinteraction or social connectivity. In the design projectsinternational Masters students at University of Strathclyde,Glasgow collaborate with design and engineering studentsfrom Swinburne University of Technology, Melbourne (inasynchronous mode) and the University of Malta (insynchronous mode).Students utilise strategic methods, work cooperatively andmanage workloads, responsibilities and product designdevelopment across cultural, language and time constraints.The experience gained in global distributed working isinvaluable, and students develop understanding of societal,economic and environmental impacts of globalised design,manufacturing and distribution.This paper describes curricula that focuses on processesand tools for global product design and development, andprepares students for non-traditional work environments andpractices. Opportunities exist for development of new globalsynergies of understanding and cooperation, leading towardssustainable, responsible and equitable global productdevelopment. The authors (visiting Erasmus Mundusacademic fellows) joined the course in its second year,contributing with lectures, studio teaching and curriculumdevelopment.

Globalization and Product Design Education: The Global Studio

Design Management Journal, 2010

This paper examines shifts in manufacturing related to globalization. The purpose of the paper is to provide design educators with a better understanding of changes taking place in manufacturing, with the aim of generating discussion around educational responses to these changes in the subject area of design. In the first part of the paper, the broad transformations taking place in manufacturing are outlined, with a focus on concurrent engineering and agile manufacturing. Next, the ways these changes are affecting the contemporary organization of product development teams are examined. Then, the implications of these shifts for design education are considered. It is argued that changing trends in manufacturing, and related changes in the organization of product development, highlight the importance of equipping design students with skills for working in globally networked organizations. Finally, we overview an educational response to globalization in the subject area of design.

A framework for design engineering education in a global context

Artificial Intelligence for Engineering Design, Analysis and Manufacturing, 2010

This paper presents a framework for teaching design engineering in a global context using innovative technologies to enable distributed teams to work together effectively across international and cultural boundaries. The Digital Libraries for Global Distributed Innovative Design, Education, and Teamwork (DIDET) Framework represents the findings of a 5-year project conducted by the University of Strathclyde, Stanford University, and Olin College that enhanced student learning opportunities by enabling them to partake in global, team-based design engineering projects, directly experiencing different cultural contexts and accessing a variety of digital information sources via a range of innovative technology. The use of innovative technology enabled the formalization of design knowledge within international student teams as did the methods that were developed for students to store, share, and reuse information. Coaching methods were used by teaching staff to support distributed teams a...

Preparing Product Design students for working in the global production environment through practical learning

Universities have identified the internationalisation of the curriculum as an integral part of higher education. The aim is to prepare students to perform professionally and socially in the global work environment. This ability has been described as 'cultural intelligence', enabling graduates to work positively and productively within culturally diverse work situations that may be very different to those they experience locally. In practical terms this involves engaging students and staff in international based experiences that allow for the exchange of expertise and cultural norms to enhance a common understanding of attitudes and behaviours affecting professional and social practices. In product design there is a discipline specific necessity to effectively communicate complex object ideas, detailed 3D specifications and aesthetic information with clients and manufacturers around the world and work collaboratively to ensure that the integrity of the design is maintained throughout its development. This may involve the designers going overseas but frequently it involves communicating via the web. This paper documents a practical example of introducing students to working with international partners (in this case manufacturers) by commissioning prototypes from a range of overseas suppliers. Consideration of the student experiences and product outcomes suggests how to prepare future students to operate successfully in collaboration with overseas prototype production partners. The aim is to provide a contribution to the internationalisation of the design curriculum supporting the development of the 'cultural intelligence' of the graduate for global professional practice.