Globalization and product design education: the global studio

This paper examines shifts in manufacturing related to globalization. The purpose of the paper is to provide design educators with a better understanding of changes taking place in manufacturing, with the aim of generating discussion around educational responses to these changes in the subject area of design. In the first part of the paper, the broad transformations taking place in manufacturing are outlined, with a focus on concurrent engineering and agile manufacturing. Next, the ways these changes are affecting the contemporary organization of product development teams are examined. Then, the implications of these shifts for design education are considered. It is argued that changing trends in manufacturing, and related changes in the organization of product development, highlight the importance of equipping design students with skills for working in globally networked organizations. Finally, we overview an educational response to globalization in the subject area of design.