Competence-centered learning

The final aim of our educational programs is to develop an overall competence of design. This overall competence of design combines a vision, professional identity and the individual competencies.

Competencies are developed as a result of integrating learning experiences in which attitude, skills and knowledge from different areas of expertise are selected, acquired, and used. Demonstrations (known as “demos”) are the result of applying competencies in, for example, a project. It is at this level that the performance of a student can be assessed.

The areas of expertise broadly concern the diverse academic domains (within the arts and humanities, and the social, natural and formal sciences) that are directly linked to the discipline of industrial design. They include disciplinary knowledge, skills and attitudes, as well as theories, methods and techniques that are customary in these fields. Furthermore, they comprise the relations between this field and other disciplines. 

In addition to the competencies required to operate successfully, students must also be competent in designing and researching. This is emphasized in competency Design and Research Processes. Furthermore, students must develop professional skills and a scientific approach, which is demonstrated in their ability to communicate, process and apply scientific information, plan and organize, reflect and collaborate. These professional skills are emphasized in most educational activities and should also be explicitly addressed in their Personal Development Plan (also known as the PDP).