Interactive Design and Technology Research

Abstract Interactive Design and Technology Research: From Ideation to ImplementationAbstractThe growth and acceptance of interdisciplinary education has blurred the boundaries associatedwith more traditional and insular curricular models. In this environment, multidisciplinaryprojects are fast becoming the norm. The purpose of this paper is to introduce the framework andworking process of a new interdisciplinary capstone course that creates a dynamic new learningcontext by combining an Industrial Design Studio with a Computer Engineering TechnologyLaboratory. Integrating two core courses, senior students in Industrial Design and ComputerEngineering Technology are given the opportunity to participate in a high quality educationalenvironment with authentic and tangible learning experiences.The paper discusses the collaborative course design embedded in a combined studio/laboratorysetting. This instructional approach will provide an unique educational experience that allowsstudents to: (1) learn knowledge and tools in two disciplines that can be used applied toward thecompletion of a real-world, collaborative, and interdisciplinary research project; (2) developcomplementary skill sets across two disciplines which will allow students to design and build aworking prototype; (3) use critical thinking to analyze the effectiveness and quality of theresearch process and its outcomes.Unlike traditional learning in industrial design and engineering technology programs with anemphasis on design concept prototyping and technological prototyping respectively, thisinterdisciplinary course integrates these parallel tracks to provide a seamless collaborativelearning experience. From the identification of a research problem to the development of aworking prototype, the collaborative studio/laboratory reinforces creative and critical thinkingwith an emphasis on human, technological, and aesthetic aspects of product development. Thisapproach to undergraduate education can provide constructive and authentic learning experiencesto meet the industry needs. This paper reports the preliminary results of the pilot phase of a one-year grant awarded through the Office of Undergraduate Discovery Programs at the Universityof XXX.