Fleischmann, Katja (2014) Design futures - future designers: give me a 'T'? Studies in Material Thinking, 11. pp. 1-23.

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Abstract

Designers contribute increasingly to processes that drive economic, social and public innovations. To innovate successfully, cross-disciplinary teams are key. The kind of designer needed in these collaborative teams is described as T-shaped. The stem of the 'T' represents specialist knowledge of one or two areas; the horizontal bar stands for a broad understanding about other areas. While collaboration in various forms is the preferred working model for future designers, it is unclear how a T-shaped designer can be educated. This is particularly the case at undergraduate level where students are typically introduced to a wide range of subject areas. Therefore, the question investigated was: how can undergraduate design students learn the skills required for effective collaboration and thus develop a broad understanding of other disciplines while simultaneously continuing to develop their discipline-specific skills? A multidisciplinary learning and teaching model was trialled over a period of two years in an undergraduate digital media design degree. Quantitative and qualitative evidence in support of the development of T-shaped characteristics came from students and educators.

Item ID:	34174
Item Type:	Article (Research - C1)
ISSN:	1177-6234
Keywords:	multidisciplinary collaboration, T-shaped designer, undergraduate design education, POOL Model framework
Date Deposited:	23 Jul 2014 05:08
FoR Codes:	12 BUILT ENVIRONMENT AND DESIGN > 1203 Design Practice and Management > 120302 Design Innovation @ 20% 12 BUILT ENVIRONMENT AND DESIGN > 1203 Design Practice and Management > 120304 Digital and Interaction Design @ 20% 13 EDUCATION > 1302 Curriculum and Pedagogy > 130201 Creative Arts, Media and Communication Curriculum and Pedagogy @ 60%
SEO Codes:	93 EDUCATION AND TRAINING > 9303 Curriculum > 930302 Syllabus and Curriculum Development @ 60% 93 EDUCATION AND TRAINING > 9399 Other Education and Training > 939908 Workforce Transition and Employment @ 20% 97 EXPANDING KNOWLEDGE > 970112 Expanding Knowledge in Built Environment and Design @ 20%
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