Enhancing Design Ability Through Experiential Learning in Textile Design Education

Abstract

The major of textile design at Donghua University is a double bachelor’s degrees program that was supported by Shanghai Academic Degrees Committee, integrating the discipline of design and textile engineering. This study presented a series of practical courses in four semesters from the sophomore year to senior year, to help undergraduate textile design students enhance their product design skills and abilities through experiential learning. The practical curriculum design, implementation process and learning outcomes are introduced in the paper. Results in the study not only reveal the method to embed experiential learning theory into practical courses, but also indicate the importance of learning-by-doing philosophy in higher-education.