| Research shows design education is concerned with providing an educational experience that helps develop skills and prepare responsible professionals. It has been suggested that collaboration between industrial design departments and industry provides an enriched educational experience for industrial design students. Studying the collaborative project is a step toward gaining a general understanding (a) to look at how the collaborative project contributes toward an enriched educational experience; (b) to examine how design issues are addressed in the collaborative project; and (c) to identify the problems and conflicts that emerge. While every situation has unique qualities and requirements, it is feasible to take findings from one study and apply them to another similar situation, thus this study provides a perspective for the University Technology of MARA (UiTM) in Malaysia. It may help guide curriculum development that balances student needs, educational goals and objectives, and industrial development of Malaysia. The case study method is used to present the collaborative project experience conducted between university design departments and industry. Data is gathered through review of literature, documents, observations and interviews of participating students, instructors and client. The outcomes of the study that are applicable to the industrial design department at UiTM, Malaysia are that the collaborative project experience builds the students' design skills in terms of problem solving, material usage, and working within particular limitations. However, educational objectives need to become a part of the shared vision between industrial design departments and industry that need to be negotiated through the collaboration process. Careful selection of collaborative projects can significantly contribute to design education experience for industrial design students, including the type of product to be designed, the complexity project and the commitment of industry partners. Collaboration can provide a holistic approach opportunity to educate designers and industry. |
