Design Education and Industry Collaboration: Exploring the Strategic Role of Chief Design Officer through a Multifaceted Pedagogical Approach

This article presents an educational experimental endeavor undertaken within the scope of a doctoral research project, involving key stakeholders, including the University of Aveiro, Revigrés, and Design Factory Aveiro. The primary focus of the doctoral research is to assess the strategic significance of the role of a Chief Design Officer within the corporate landscape, with a specific emphasis on the Portuguese industry, notably the ceramic tile and flooring company, Revigrés. As an integral part of the Project in Product Design II teaching team, the methodology already employed in the curricular unit was adapted to align with the research objectives. Following consultations with Revigrés, a project brief was formulated, providing students with a targeted challenge. Describing the journey taken with this experiment, this article draws parallels between the role of the academic teaching team, functioning as a scientific supervisor, project manager, and mediator between the company and students, and that of the Chief Design Officer. The latter is viewed as a design team leader, a strategic design visionary, and a bridge-builder aligning business objectives with market and societal needs. This article meticulously details the entire process of this pedagogical experience, offering a comprehensive analysis that extracts meaningful results for both ongoing research and the partnering company. The insights gained contribute not only to academic research in design but also provide valuable implications for the strategic positioning of a Chief Design Officer in fostering innovation and collaboration between academia and industry.