Metaphors in Design Curricula

DS 78: Proceedings of the 16th International conference on Engineering and Product Design Education (E&PDE14), Design Education and Human Technology Relations, University of Twente, The Netherlands, 04-05.09.2014

Year: 2014
Editor: Erik Bohemia, Arthur Eger, Wouter Eggink, Ahmed Kovacevic, Brian Parkinson, Wessel Wits
Author: Hiort af Orn, Viktor
Series: E&PDE
Institution: 1 Department of Product & Production Development, Chalmers University of Technology, Sweden; 2 Department of Product Design, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Norway; 3 SINTEF Raufoss Manufacturing, Norway
Section: Curricula
Page(s): 600-605
ISBN: 978-1-904670-56-8

Abstract

Metaphors are central to the way we see and shape the world, and identifying metaphors can help to question how certain issues are explained or set-up, thereby opening up a range of opportunities for design. This paper explores how metaphors can contribute to understanding theories and models, as well as problems and opportunities in design courses at different levels. Following the introduction, section two and three introduce metaphors, and identify the roles metaphors play in design and design education with help of analyzing three examples in design curriculum. The fourth and final section discusses educational implications of metaphors as tools to inspire and facilitate knowledge generation in design curricula.

Keywords: Design Theory, Reflection, Metaphor, Design Education

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