Using Mobile Phones as a Learning Tool in Nature Inspired Furniture Design Process

Abstract

Mobile phones are widely used digital devices among young learners. Although it is evident that students use mobile phones for their learning process, until recently it was not recognized as a learning tool, especially in Interior Architecture pedagogy. This article aims to explore the research gap in finding the impacts of using mobile phones as a learning tool in nature inspired furniture design project. The research was conducted using qualitative methodology through observation and interviews which were carried out among 12 selected students in the interior architecture degree program. In this article, we will explore the impacts of using mobile phones, throughout the product development process and how it has affected the students creative design ability. This is an exploratory study conducted within 5 weeks and the design process has been observed as a fly on wall observer throughout the given duration. The research is based on observational notes and open-ended questions given to participants. The results were analyzed through thematic analysis and it reflects on how the exposure of the mobile phones have affected the design ability of the students.