A case study of work-integrated learning with Design Factory New Zealand

Design Factory New Zealand is a problem solving and learning space which brings together students, industry and community leaders who are then facilitated as a team to co-create a solution to a complex challenge. Students working within Design Factory are placed into inter-disciplinary teams which will therefore have a diverse range of study backgrounds (such as Engineering, Business, Information Technology, Media Arts, and Sports Science). Students are therefore able to learn from each other, challenge each other and see the value of co-creating on challenges beyond their own disciplines and thought patterns. Design Factory New Zealand provides students the opportunity to work in new ways; to develop creativity, empathy, and communication; which enables each participant to be more prepared for the workplace of the future. Work-integrated learning (WIL) is the intentional integration of theory and practice to help prepare graduates in securing work within industry. Feedback from approximately 150 students and 10 industry partners has been collected on different aspects of the project journey for each semester since the inception of Design Factory in 2017. This presentation will focus on the deliberate interactions the Design Factory New Zealand has provided between industry and students that have been implemented to benefit both groups. We will share the key findings (anecdotal in some parts) from the parties involved and discuss where our main findings are taking us in the future