Abstract:

The subject 'Product design prototyping workshop' is taught in the Degree in Engineering in Industrial Design and Product Development at Universitat Jaume I. In it, students learn skills that enable them to represent shapes and volumes by two-dimensional drawings and physical construction of three-dimensional prototypes, with which it is possible to assess more directly the appearance, weight, texture and product usability. Ultimately, the subject allows to implement the different knowledge acquired during the Degree to create new products related to current trends, always considering the user as an inherent part of the design process.

Since the subject is taught the last year of the Degree, it is also necessary to help students to take their first steps into the professional market, introducing them to some of the current strategies to promote their work.

This paper describes the results of applying an educational improvement project funded by the Educational Support Unit (USE) of the Universitat Jaume I (Castellón), assessing its reach through the direct opinion of students and objective data about attendance, performance and final grade obtained. Improvements in the subject come from the application of three groups of activities: those focused on improving learning and working directly in the classroom, activities designed to encourage constructive criticism and activities designed to improve motivation for quality, encouraging career advancement by presenting projects through several in person and electronic means.

Keywords:

Prototyping, industrial design, workshop, career advancement.