Co-Learning Scenarios with the Community: Democratic Practices In and Out of the Design Studio, Escenaris de coaprenentatge amb la comunitat: Pràctiques democràtiques dins i fora de l’estudi de disseny

Abstract

Design education is characterised by its experiential and practice-oriented approach emphasising active engagement with projects. The pedagogical focus is on developing individual styles professional stances and a receptive attitude towards novel experiences aligning with the evolving landscape of the design profession. This study explores community engagement in student projects as a means to establish a co-deciding and co-learning infrastructure in the design studio. This participative and democratic approach challenges traditional hierarchies in higher education transforms the student-instructor relationship and aligns educational practices with the evolving requirements of the design profession. The study investigates students’ insights into co-learning with the community through scenario-building. A workshop conducted with twelve fourth-year undergraduate industrial design students and the thematic analysis of the findings revealed that educational community engagement projects employing inclusionary methods motivate students and foster a positive attitude towards shifting power relations within a democratic design studio structure. The findings also highlight the need for a clear focus a set of principles for successful engagement and conflict resolution in the co-learning process as well as the generative potential of scenario-building as a method for inclusive practices. © 2024 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.