Material-led creative processes in the context of design education

Abstract

This article discusses research from the Design Experimentation and Exploration (DEE) course in the higher education context. The DEE course was designed to support MA design students’ understanding of their creativity in an explorative course. The data were drawn from the students’ weekly and final reflections, as well as from the notes by one of the researchers. We were interested in how material-led processes developed through repeated material explorations and experimentation during the DEE course. We found that, in this context, the material process was related to identity building, overcoming challenges in idea development, and conceptual inquiry. The results highlight how materials and making can intertwine with personal goals. They thus provide an example for educators in other contexts to support students in bravely following uncertain processes, letting go, and experimenting freely.