Schaber, F. (2010) Socially responsible design: breadline shoes for children in India. In: Boks, W., Ion, W., McMahon, C. and Parkinson, B. (eds.) When Design Education and Design Research Meet: Proceedings of the 12th International Conference on Engineering and Product Design Education. Westbury: Institution of Engineering Designers. 9781904670193. pp. 352-357.
| Item Type: | Conference Proceedings |
|---|---|
| Abstract: | Active learning happens to us when we participate in projects meaningful to us and engage with the real world. [1] Correspondingly, this paper explores the role of Design students in industry and research collaboration ultimately benefiting the poor. This paper presents a case study, a live client project initially aimed at free shoes to be offered to children in India as part of getting them to school regularly; drawing from comparative research expertise residing within the author’s university on the footwear supply chain, waste management, knowledge transfer and the global market, and pedagogic research on engaging students in co-learning. The case study reviews an ongoing undergraduate project with students in the United Kingdom, which has been taking place in conjunction with the British School of Leather Technology and a footwear manufacturer based in Chennai, India. In response to real needs, the students are encouraged in negotiating research across disciplines, shadowing podiatrists within clinical practice, and in creating prototypes of shoe and sandal parts. While students learn to develop their own designs into feasible samples, they were also encouraged to apply the relevant design and production methods, with consideration of appropriate technologies suitable for manufacturing in an Indian community or ‘cottage-industry’ context. Finally, the paper discusses the roles of students, researchers and educators in the project and the benefits derived from an association with multiple partners in the teaching of socially responsible Design. It will be shown that design learning at the University itself changes with new collaborations across cultures and integrated projects that are supporting kinaesthetic learning styles. A new generation of students will be equipped with skill sets to realise appropriate and practical solutions that can move people out of poverty in a sustainable manner. |
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | Appropriate technologies, footwear, live project, India, socially responsible design |
| Subjects: |
T Technology > TS Manufactures > TS155 Production management. Operations management > TS171 Industrial art and design T Technology > TS Manufactures > TS990 Footwear |
| Creators: | Schaber, Friedemann |
| Editors: | Boks, W, Ion, W, McMahon, C and Parkinson, B |
| Funders or Sponsors: | The University of Northampton |
| Publisher: | Institution of Engineering Designers |
| Northamptonshire and East Midlands: | Business and Industry |
| Faculties, Divisions and Institutes: |
University Faculties, Divisions and Research Centres - OLD > Research Centre > China and Emerging Economies Centre Research Centres > China and Emerging Economies Centre Faculties > Faculty of Arts, Science & Technology > Design & Photography |
| Date: | September 2010 |
| Date Type: | Publication |
| Page Range: | pp. 352-357 |
| Title of Book: | When Design Education and Design Research Meet: Proceedings of the 12th International Conference on Engineering and Product Design Education |
| Event Title: | 12th International Conference on Engineering and Product Design Education |
| Event Dates: | 02-03 September 2010 |
| Place of Publication: | Westbury |
| Event Location: | Trondheim, Norway |
| Event Type: | Conference |
| Number of Pages: | 6 |
| Language: | English |
| ISBN: | 9781904670193 |
| Status: | Published / Disseminated |
| Refereed: | Yes |
| Related URLs: | |
| URI: | http://nectar.northampton.ac.uk/id/eprint/3771 |
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