You can test your students’ knowledge by having them design a product. The assignment can focus on designing a product that meets specific requirements such as durability, usability, aesthetic value and technical innovation. For example, ask your students to create a product design for a specific industry such as medical devices, a vehicle or consumer electronics. You can think about developing a new generation of an existing product or a product that requires students to find their own solution to an existing problem. Consider:
- A technical product, where students design a machine, robot, car, medical device or consumer electronics – or parts of it. In doing so, they learn more about technical drawing, materials, technical specifications and safety, for example.
- A building or urban planning, where students design, for example, a house, office, shopping centre, park or neighbourhood, or devise a solution to an existing problem in it. Thus, they learn more about architecture, urban planning, sustainability and aesthetics.
- Graphic design, where students design, for example, a logo, corporate identity, brochure, poster or website. Thus, they learn more about use of colour, typography, imagery and usability.
- A consumer product, where students design, for example, furniture, toys, jewellery, packaging or appliances. Thus, they learn more about aesthetics, durability, usability and materials.
- A business product, such as a marketing plan, business plan or financial analysis. Thus, they learn more about market research, budgeting, financing and marketing strategy.
- A game or simulation, where students design, for example, an educational game, simulation of a technical process or economic system. Thus, they learn more about programming, game design and simulation techniques.
Have the students present their design to a panel of teachers and industry experts, where they receive feedback on their design. After this, the designs can be reviewed and rated based on criteria such as technical feasibility, innovation, usability and aesthetic value. It is also possible to have the students work together in groups, with each group getting its own assignment and possibly a prize for the best solution.
Find out more?
- What is product design? – NewSchool of Architecture & Design
See also: Poster presentation, Final product, Company visits, Research project.
VU Taxonomy?
Programme specific skills in applying knowledge and understandingInterpersonal skills
Oral communication
Written communication
Own reflexive attitude and responsibility in society
What total group size?
More than three hundredMore than one hundred
Between fifty and one hundred
Up to fifty
Up to twenty five
What activity group size?
IndividualSmall group (2-4 pers)