Future Wellbeing: Conference Driven?
Year: 2012
Editor: Lyndon Buck, Geert Frateur, William Ion, Chris McMahon, Chris Baelus, Guido De Grande, Stijn Verwulgen
Author: Curtis, Holly Emma
Series: E&PDE
Institution: Nottingham Trent University, United Kingdom
Section: Wellbeing
Page(s): 561-566
ISBN: 978-1-904670-36-0
Abstract
This paper considers the effect of determined conference themes, government legislation and key events in design education in order to ascertain the fundamental drivers of change. Through analysis of past conference proceedings an attempt has been made to determine whether the annual International Engineering and Product Design Education (E&PDE) conferences have driven change in design education or merely commented on it. Research has been carried out over a period of time, namely 2001 to 2011, to ascertain whether or not the conference has been successful as a driver of change in design associated matters. A literature review of proceedings and papers pertinent to conference themes, later citings and government initiatives has taken place. Additionally, a parallel research activity has been conducted, which can be used to benchmark the primary research as outlined. This second stream is focused on the production of a timeline apposite to design teaching, course development and student numbers, applicable to design education at Nottingham Trent University (NTU). Considering the progression from design engineering to product design, evaluation of programme development and determination of catalysts and agents of change has taken place. Design methodologies and new curricula have commonly been reflected upon at E&PDE conferences; this paper majors on these two topics whilst delivering the findings of the research. An attempt has been made to detail the manner of design education development in order to appreciate and understand its value for the future wellbeing of society.