Morphologic matrix application as a tool to spring on creativity. Results in a design master in the U.P.V

Abstract

[EN] Some years ago our group had the challenge of collaborating on a design master teaching an optative subject of Technology Management Foundations. The challenge was to develop it in an attractive way capable of interesting really students and generating a motivated behaviour in class. Now, seven years later, it is possible to have a complete landscape of this experience. Designers profile was very different from the profile of mechanical, electric, electronics, chemical, ... engineers we usually had in class, and this reality was a problem at the beginning of first edition when we had to resolve it and to define the basis to thenew master editions. Main tool taken from technological forecasting to apply it as a design tool was Morphology. Our group had applied this methodology since many years ago. First on doctorate courses of “Technology Management” and afterwards on postgraduate courses and masters. On this paper we discuss the experience on a design master where this methodology was applied as a tool for developing new products combining with other techniques for spurring creativity as brain storming, lateral thinking, de Bono’s hats, nominal group, etc. Other forecasting methodologies were gap analysis and analogies. Examples of final works have not been included so it is not possible contacting students to ask for permission in order to include them on the paper.