Design in the world kitchen : a case study in multi-national collaborative design education

![CDATA[This case study describes an Industrial Design project concerning the kitchen, its environment and the products within it. The consuming and preparation of food as a unifying feature of humanity was chosen as a topic to both bring together students of diverse nationalities and at the same time expose any cultural contrasts. The project involved students of Lulea Technical University in Sweden, the University of Northumbria, UK and Monash University, Australia. The purpose of the studio activity was to advance multi-national creative team working and expose undergraduates to new cultural experiences outside their normal environment. The project took place in three distinctive phases. Firstly a research investigation within the bounds of the students’ home institutions and countries. A second phase hosted by Lulea Technical University in which research material was synthesized into targeted design briefs and finally a third phase, the configuration of physical design outcomes hosted by Monash University at the Prato Centre in Italy. The project is indicative of the ‘studio’ mode of teaching and learning but with the heightened level of experience in placing the student within an ‘alien’ but stimulating environment rich in cultural heritage. It was speculated that this period overseas might have the most influence upon the learning experience during activities requiring a great deal of creativity. The project also enhanced team based co-operative learning at an international level between individuals and institutions that, the authors would hope, would prove central to a young designers’ education. This case study examines the nature of studio practice in Industrial Design education; the influence of the environment upon that practice, the dynamics of multi-national groups, the process of the project, the results of the undergraduate research and finally some observations resulting from the activity.]]