The Characteristics of Product Design Education Curriculum in Japan

In Asia, Product Design Education in Japan is considered to be well established. Although a variety of studies relating to product design education have taken place, comparative research studies relating to the development of the product
design education curriculum and identification of its characteristics in different universities have been relatively few. This paper aims to identify and illustrate the characteristics of product design education curriculum in Japan based on a comparative study between two sample universities; Chiba University and Kyushu University. Research was conducted through a literature review, visits to
the respective universities and consultations with their educators. The literature review was conducted by reviewing student handbooks, course curriculum booklets and syllabuses for the period between 1970 and 2008. School magazines, department brochures and historical records were also reviewed. From this study, it was found that the design education in the Institute of Design, Illinois Institute of Technology may have influenced the product design
education curriculum in Chiba University. The product design education curriculum in Chiba University and Kyushu University was structured based on the study of different specialized fields. In Chiba University, a Collaborative
Research and Design Project was offered to allowed knowledge from different fields of specialization to synthesize. This module was offered as a form of final year graduation project during the last year of study. In Kyushu University however, a similar project came in the form of an elective module offered for a single semester. The broadbased education offered by Chiba University and Kyushu University may also be related to the somewhat unique attributes of Japanese industry, where most graduates receive training on work etiquette and specific professional knowledge through one to six months of in-firm induction program after entering a company.