A guide for learning design practice

Abstract

The learning and acquisition of industrial design skills and, in particular, methods and design process, are implemented in the scope of Bachelor’s Degree in Industrial Design and Product Development Engineering at the University of Zaragoza, Spain. This publication presents contents related to the methodological control of the design process, included in the subject “Design workshop II: Methods and design process”, conducted during the first semester of the 2nd year of the degree. From this experience, this contribution shows the tools used in the subject to ensure that students are given the necessary knowledge to be able to apply a methodology and propose a clear and structured design process. The experience is based on the use of detailed scripts that structure practice sessions, showing and exemplifying their application through the projects developed during the course. This material can serve as a guide for its use and implementation in future teaching activities and academic projects in the field of engineering, in which a methodological basis and control of the design process is required, linking these aspects with the development of different analyses focused on the provision of essential information for the project. The result of these teaching practices is to facilitate a meaningful learning for the student, the interdisciplinary integration of knowledge for its application to the design process, the improvement of academic goals as well as an efficient coordination among teachers that improves communication among all the members of the university community involved in the degree.