Redefining the learning experience within the design education at Slovak University of Technology in Bratislava

Abstract

The present paper offers the results and evaluation of quantitative research conducted during the years 2019 and 2020 among prospective graduates and alumni of the follow-up bachelor and master study programmes of Design at the Faculty of Architecture and Design of the Slovak University of Technology (FAD STU) in Bratislava, Slovakia. The presented results of the research, combined with an analysis of the local labour market data, study of literature and an evaluation of global design education trends, were used as the foundation for changes in the learning process in design education at FAD STU, first-time implemented in the existing study programmes in the academic year 2021/22. The paper aims to provide an explanation of the new approach to learning experience design within the bachelor and master study programmes as such, but mainly described on the example of Design Studio courses. At the time of publishing, the new approach was successfully implemented in one of the faculty's vertical studios – MX lab – a learning platform focused on project-based learning and cooperation with partners in the automotive industry.

Keywords

• creative thinking
• design education
• design graduates
• interdisciplinarity
• learning experience design
• product design
• project-based learning
• soft skills
• teamwork
• vertical studio