How to engage design students to become problem finders as well as problem solvers

Due to a changing economic, social, cultural and technological landscape design problemshave become more complicated with the role of the designer expanding. Designers aremoving from just responding to a brief from a client to also actively engaging with usersand stakeholders to become problem finders as well as problem solvers . In order tomeet these challenges design education must equip students with the skills to seek outnew opportunities for design solutions. This article outlines a methodology adopted anddeveloped to guide Product Design students in carrying out primary research to identifythe needs of users and stakeholders in any given context. The methodology was developedin the course of conducting a number of projects at University Limerick (UL) in conjunctionwith University Limerick Smarter travel over a three year period. Its effectiveness isoutlined and the extent to which students were able to develop a mind-set that enabledthe uncovering of insights that led to innovative solutions is examined. Furthermore, thechallenges faced by the students are also explored.