EPDE09/239 INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON ENGINEERING AND PRODUCT DESIGN EDUCATION 10 & 11 SEPTEMBER 2009, UNIVERSITY OF BRIGHTON, UK THE FUTURE OF DESIGN SYNTHESIS EDUCATION Alejandro ACUNA Department of Industrial Design, Tecnologico de Monterrey Campus Queretaro, Mexico ABSTRACT The purpose of our research is to understand how industrial design students learn and formulate design synthesis and its relation to their own level of imagery. We also intend to understand how students apply sketches, models/rapid prototyping and computer technologies in the design process, during the stages of exploration, materialization and representation of design concepts. The paper then presents the findings of two pilot studies based on student´s interviews and analysis of the results derivate of two 6 hours long projects. These pilot studies represent the first of several future case studies. In the future, this research will focus on obtaining the bases of a model that maximizes the capacities of different tools that support the design process and particularly the teaching of design synthesis. Keywords: Design synthesis education, shape configuration, design process 1 INTRODUCTION The process of product design and development starts with the generation of ideas, which are traditionally represented as handmade sketches [1, 2]. As the concept gradually evolves, the designer has the possibility of applying tools such as digital 3D modeling, physical models and rapid prototyping [3]. The purpose of these models is to adjust and improve the design ideas in functional, ergonomic or aesthetic features. Thus, the design process uses tools in two dimensions (sketches) and in three dimensions (models and rapid prototypes) for the development and materialization of the design concepts. In addition, Computer Technologies (CT) are used principally for the representation and validation of design proposals. In figure 1, we can observe mentioned tools utilized for materialization of a design concept: sketching, model and digital 3D modeling. Figure 1. Sketching, physical models and 3D models in design process The process of shape synthesis takes place in different stages within the design process, in particular in its earlier stages, when the use of technology is almost null. The use of digital 3D modeling or rapid prototyping tools are usually used as a path of communication and/or evaluation media in later stages