Legitimising the role of an international design expert: Beyond the traditional approach of collaborative projects

The essence of collaborative projects between university and industry, is to find a space where pedagogical strategies are focused on activities that: a) foster innovation within the company to explore different solutions and opportunities through the design of new concepts; b) grant students to have the experience of participating in a real industry project; and c) bring up to date knowledge to professors allowing diversity for their role. This paper describes best practices and limitations of making collaboration possible exploring different mechanisms in lowering barriers related to the orientation of universities, and to the transactions involved in working with different partners. To endorse the contribution of the International Design Expert (IDE) the authors used the third-person structure and personified the real voice of the international expert in different quotes along the document. We came to the conclusions that the collaboration needs a framework and a well-defined scope; it also depends on clarification of roles for each actor: students, company employees, international external expert and university professors; as well as the importance of considering legal aspects involved before starting the collaborative project. © 2018 Institution of Engineering Designers The Design Society. All Rights Reserved