Efficacy of collaborative in improving learning outcomes of graphic design in higher education

Abstract

This article presents collaborative design projects done by 28 second-year graphic design students. These projects were identified by the lecturer to be examples of ‘real’ world and ‘hands-on’ projects that are complex, challenging enough and could be impossible for an individual student to complete alone within the limited time frame. These projects not only require students to synthesise their work in a true collaboration, but also to complete work separately and turn it in together at the end. What set these collaborative design projects apart from other graphic design projects are the adept outcome and the amount of control that the students are given over the design.