Silvia Grimaldi

Principles of assessment for project and research based learning

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to provide assessment guidelines which help to implement research‐based education in science and technology areas, which would benefit from the quality of this type of education within this subject area.Design/methodology/approach – This paper is a reflection on, and analysis of, different aspects of assessment. From one side, it looks at assessment in general, in society at large.Findings – Assessment could be improved within this field in order to contribute to the learning process, rather than merely measure and categorise a students performance after the fact. To do this the paper not only looks at different forms of assessment and different ways of conducting the assessment, but also argues that certain ways of teaching and of structuring a class and an assignment are more conducive to creating an atmosphere in which students will be wanting to receive feedback to improve their learning and performance rather than a mark as a prize or reward.Originality/value –...

Narratives in design: a study of the types, applications and functions of narratives in design practice

Several design studies have looked at the potential of using narratives to enrich the design process or to create more engaging experiences with designed objects. However, the concept of narrative is still fuzzy and open to interpretations, due to its use and meaning in different disciplines and approaches. In order to deepen the knowledge of narrative use in design, this paper presents three categorizations that survey the what, where and why of narratives in design, respectively. First, it discusses five definitions of narratives based on narrative theory. Secondly, it proposes a typology that classifies the occurrences of narratives in design. Thirdly, it analyses the roles and functions of narratives in designed products and the design process. Finally, using the proposed categorizations, it shows strategies for a narrative approach to design richer experiences for products and discusses techniques for the design process. To conclude, future developments of the project are described, including a call for design projects that involve narratives to be included in a database.

Design for Subjective Wellbeing: Towards a Design Framework for Constructing Narrative

Abstract We explore the role that interaction with products and services can play in the narratives that we develop about ourselves. We propose a four-level model, which seeks to explain this and use it as the basis for analyzing eight immersion studies. In each, we investigate the role that products and services play in shaping narratives, which in turn reflect our self-identity. We also look at archetypes – the various ideals that we can have about ourselves – and at how the alignment of narratives with these enhances our wellbeing. The model offers the potential to link narrative to design features and to identify new market opportunities. However, we recognize there may be challenges in enabling people to articulate narrative and identify their ideal archetype.

Service Design pedagogy and effective student engagement: Generative Tools and Methods

Abstract This practice-led investigation evaluates three generative design tools for active and tacit student engagement with postgraduate Service Design students, and their impact on the students’ approach to complex design projects. In Service Design education generative design tools have a robust pedagogical role for efficient knowledge creation and student engagement, yet are still under-explored academically. The Learn ’n’ link method delineates learning as an interactive dialogic practice for creative idea conceptualisation. The Zine Method is a visual ethnography approach that can be applied holistically to frame the problem area, propose a way forward, and prototype the solution. The Narrative Toolkit enables students to discuss and critique the narrative properties of existing designs and envision design outcomes. The students then use the Zine Method to qualitatively evaluate the methods’ contribution to their understanding of complex design problems and service user experience, and their function in bridging the gap between user research and generative design processes.