BETTER INNOVATION BY DESIGN? CAN A COLLABORATIVE CROSS-DISCIPLINARY APPROACH ASSIST A PARADIGM SHIFT IN EDUCATION PRACTICE?

DS 83: Proceedings of the 18th International Conference on Engineering and Product Design Education (E&PDE16), Design Education: Collaboration and Cross-Disciplinarity, Aalborg, Denmark, 8th-9th September 2016

Year: 2016
Editor: Erik Bohemia, Ahmed Kovacevic, Lyndon Buck, Christian Tollestrup, Kaare Eriksen, Nis Ovesen
Author: McElheron, Paul; Pilgaard Harsaae, Malene
Series: E&PDE
Institution: Assistant Professors - Via Design & AU
Section: Preparing Students for Cross-dsciplinarity
Page(s): 493-498
ISBN: 978-1-904670-62-9

Abstract

This paper is a case study aimed at exploring the cross-disciplinary synergy between design thinking
and product engineering. Teams of Bachelor of Engineering students were given a product engineering
innovation challenge and asked to solve it using a design thinking methodology. The results were
compared to similar groups who did not make use of design thinking. The questions were: would
design thinking assist in the development of innovative product design solutions and if it does – how
& why? What are students really thinking & doing when engaged in creative product design innovation?
The results indicate that the processes, practices and persona inherent in design thinking do indeed
facilitate innovative product design.

Keywords: Design thinking, innovation, strategic design practice, product engineering, education.

Download

Please sign in to your account

This site uses cookies and other tracking technologies to assist with navigation and your ability to provide feedback, analyse your use of our products and services, assist with our promotional and marketing efforts, and provide content from third parties. Privacy Policy.