Students and the design education experience: An exploration on the nature of social interaction in a design school

摘要

In design schools, the existence of informal social interaction is visible throughout the school building. There is an interplay between the physical and social environment in design education that is important to the learning experiences of students. This research was an exploration into the social structures of students. To understand the nature of these student groups, how they interact and function, this investigation looked at how students interacted in their building. Students were asked to identify friends in the school that they had casual, personal and intimate relationships with. Students were then asked to identify areas in the building that accommodate different kinds of social interaction. Discussions and conclusions provide an understanding of social interaction among students and provide insights into the relationship between students and the school building.