Enhancing Product Design Education through Eye-Tracking Technology for User-Centred Research and Interaction Analysis within Product & Interaction Design in SETU

About this initiative

To effectively integrate the Plasticpreneur PSMK2 Plastic Scanner into the curriculum and assess its impact, a structured approach will be implemented. Students will develop material identification and selection skills through hands-on sessions where they analyse and categorise plastic materials using the scanner. They will document their findings in structured reports and lab-based material assessments, ensuring a strong foundation in material science. Learning progress will be measured through coursework reflections and project-based applications, allowing students to apply their knowledge in real-world contexts. A key focus of the initiative is to enhance students’ understanding of sustainability and circular design. Through guided product life cycle analyses, students will assess material recyclability and environmental impact. Their ability to make sustainable material choices will be evaluated through comparative exercises, where their material selections before and after using the scanner will be analysed. Additional assessment methods will include case studies and sustainability audits, demonstrating students’ growth in applying circular economy principles. The scanner will also support independent research and hands-on learning, providing students with opportunities to conduct self-directed material analysis. A structured booking system will allow students to access the scanner independently, encouraging responsible lab use and fostering deeper engagement with material selection. Success will be tracked through lab usage logs, booking data, and student-led material audits, ensuring that students actively incorporate the technology into their learning process. Beyond individual learning, the project will foster interdisciplinary collaboration and knowledge sharing by integrating material analysis across multiple disciplines, including Product Design, Engineering, and Building Environment. Students and faculty will be encouraged to co-author research papers and reports based on scanner findings, strengthening cross-disciplinary engagement. Interdisciplinary workshops and joint projects will further promote knowledge exchange and enhance the university’s research output in sustainable materials. Finally, material analysis will be embedded into the design process, ensuring that students incorporate data-driven decision-making into their prototyping and modelling workflows. Findings from the scanner will inform sustainable material choices in design projects, with students required to present before-and-after comparisons to illustrate their improved decision-making. The effectiveness of this integration will be assessed through faculty feedback, external examiner reviews, and project evaluations, ensuring that the initiative has a lasting impact on teaching, research, and sustainability in product design education.