Interactive Design and Technology Research: From Ideation to Implementation

The growth and acceptance of interdisciplinary education has blurred the boundaries associated with more traditional and insular curricular models. In this environment, multidisciplinary projects are fast becoming the norm. The purpose of this paper is to introduce the framework and working process of a new interdisciplinary capstone course that creates a dynamic new learning context by combining an Industrial Design Studio with a Computer Engineering Technology Laboratory. Integrating two core courses, senior students in Industrial Design and Computer Engineering Technology are given the opportunity to participate in a high quality educational environment with authentic and tangible learning experiences. The paper discusses the collaborative course design embedded in a combined studio/laboratory setting. This instructional approach will provide a unique educational experience that allows students to: (1) learn knowledge and tools in two disciplines that can be used applied toward the completion of a real-world, collaborative, and interdisciplinary research project; (2) develop complementary skill sets across two disciplines which will allow students to design and build a working prototype; (3) use critical thinking to analyze the effectiveness and quality of the research process and its outcomes. Unlike traditional learning in industrial design and engineering technology programs with an emphasis on design concept prototyping and technological prototyping respectively, this interdisciplinary course integrates these parallel tracks to provide a seamless collaborative learning experience. From the identification of a research problem to the development of a working prototype, the collaborative studio/laboratory reinforces creative and critical thinking with an emphasis on human, technological, and aesthetic aspects of product development. This approach to undergraduate education can provide constructive and authentic learning experiences to 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 University of Houston.