Bridging Process and Practice: A Living Laboratory for Design Education

This exhibition showcases product design students' research and development at a pivotal stage of their final major projects. Through a combination of large-format A0 posters and physical prototypes, the display reveals both conceptual evolution and tangible outcomes. The posters document design processes visually, mapping research methodologies, ideation phases, and iterative development. They make visible the critical thinking and problem-solving approaches that underpin professional design practice, offering transparency into work typically hidden from public view. Accompanying objects demonstrate how theoretical exploration translates into three-dimensional form. These prototypes represent material experimentation, technical consideration, and user-focused design decisions made thus far. By presenting work-in-progress publicly, students gain essential professional experience in articulating developing ideas, receiving diverse feedback, and building portfolios. The exhibition creates a dynamic learning space where process takes precedence over polish, fostering dialogue between students, faculty, and broader university community while celebrating experimentation and reflective practice.