Abstract:

Failure is not something we should learn from in retrospect. Its an important tool that we should master and implement as a learning tool. How do we train students to embrace failure, rather than be afraid of it? Especially in creative disciplines, failure is a critical element of learning.

When design is compared to classical disciplines, the seemingly missing element is formality of the learning process. Design, by definition, involves unrestricted thinking and the exploration of the unknown, as opposed to applying established solutions to a given challenge. The open ended search for solutions relies on trial and error, which does, unmistakably, lead to repeated failure.

A fair amount of recent literature seeks to explain the value of failure. Business leaders, including Tim Brown of IDEO, Elon Musk, and others celebrate failure, and encourage the recognition of its value. This paper will provide an overview of the importance of failure in design, and include a student perspective on the evolution of their comfort with failure from start of the design education to its completion.

Keywords:

Design, Learning, Failure.