An industry-academia, multidisciplinary and expertise-heterogeneous design approach: A case study on designing for mobility

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to provide a better understanding of how to effectively develop design projects that simultaneously leverage industry and academic partners, participants from various disciplinary backgrounds, and various levels of expertise to solve complex problems. The article reports a single case of an ongoing project focused on designing smart and connected devices for mobility, which integrates the dimensions of interest. Our findings highlight the importance of careful planning of the collaborative process, contemplating offline and real-time communication opportunities, identifying cross-boundary roles, and considering the development of shared expertise and knowledge within the team. By confronting these findings with key literature, we offer five recommendations to inform similar future projects.