Abstract:

Since 2004/05 til 2007/08, gathering educational training and business world tested the educational level of the first year students in the Design degree course.
The first experiment took place in Facoltà del Design di Milano. It was based on the simulation of a real job relation between the student and the purchaser (professional designer or industry).
The second one, in the same University, had as partner italian company ALESSI SPA.
The Briefing was: get a total representation of an industrial product described by the purchaser to the classroom.
The Experiment has set major goals in the skills level of our students. Simulation of real job brought a faster and more complete learning. Collaboration with designers and industry demonstrated that business world pressure on our students led to results that the same designers and industry recognized as professional, despite of the student’s young age. Learning by doing revealed efficiency higher that learning just by studying.
Successful results were showed in an exhibition and both designers and companies sponsored, in tdifferent moments, two printed book.
The industry acquired some of the students’ ideas to be developed in the future. Drawing and Photography revealed its main role in industrial object Representation.

Keywords:

university, industry, collaboration, partnership, research projects, education, teaching.