PROTOTYPING WITH A CONSCIOUS CONNECTION TO THE SENSES: APPLICATION OF PAPERCLAY IN PRODUCT

The digital age has changed the way design education is taught. Current generations have developed skills that allow them to learn and experience the discipline in a different way, preferring a virtual environment and leaving behind kinesthetic learning. This project aims to reawaken students' interest in exploring form through freehand sketching and "3D sketching," but with a more environmentally conscious approach. To this end, "paper clay" is used, a ceramic material that contains a percentage of recycled paper, enabling it to be reused as often as necessary. This aligns the teaching of design with the objectives of the Tecnologico de Monterrey's 2025 Strategic Plan, primarily considering two axes: culture, which promotes sustainable awareness; and mitigation, which seeks to reduce environmental impact in the institution's operations. The training of designers involves the essential development of spatial thinking. Through the use of paper clay, kinesthetic learning is revisited, conducting three-dimensional exercises based on the needs of a specific user and the prior development of a design concept. This exercise was carried out with high school students aspiring to pursue a career in design. The exercise was conducted with 3 different groups, each consisting of 30 students. It is important to note that the course in which the exercise is applied is an exploratory one, helping students choose their professional career by experimenting with techniques and materials to have an experience similar to that of professional exercises.