Giving Students a Head Start
by Connecting Systems Design with Vertical Studio Teaching
André Liem, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Department of Product Design
Introduction
As the profession of industrial design is becoming more competitive, designers are expected to embark on the Right Alliances’ to survive and succeed in a global market where end-customers are getting more demanding. The traditional practice, where industrial design consultants operate as a separate contributor, less-integrated within R&D processes, may soon be obsolete. This indicates the need to revise educational objectives and teaching methods within the field of Industrial design. To offer a more comprehensive curriculum, external collaborators, educators, and students should work more integrated, whereby knowledge is created through the transformation of experience [1]. Based upon the concept of “collaborative learning” within and beyond the studio environment, this paper discusses a three stage approach to prepare students early in their design career for the opportunities and challenges in real-life practice. Reference to a systems and strategic design approach a positive attitude towards mentorship, as well as a well-planned core design curriculum, is being promoted beyond the education program.
 Andrew Valentine |
 Joe MacCarthy |
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 Greg Smiley |
 Jon Escusa |
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