Paper Presentation: Flexible Workshops Strengthen Ethical Awareness in Design Education

At the LearnXDesign Conference 2025 in Aveiro, Portugal, Elisabeth M. Friesinger presented the paper Transforming Education: Add-On Workshops as a Tool to Integrate Ethical Responsibility in Design Education.

The case study introduces a flexible workshop format that helps students reflect on responsibility, sustainability, and the impact of design in the Anthropocene. Implemented at three universities of applied sciences in Germany, the approach shows how even short, adaptable learning experiences can deepen ethical awareness and inspire critical thinking among future designers.

Key Takeaways

• Short, flexible workshops can effectively strengthen ethical awareness in design education.
• Informal and adaptable formats encourage reflection on social and ecological responsibility.
• Students report a better understanding of their ethical role as designers, but many still need support to apply these principles in practice.

Short, Flexible Workshops as a Key to Success

The study examined the implementation of short, flexible workshops at three universities of applied sciences in Germany — Augsburg, Neu-Ulm, and Landshut — with the aim of increasing students’ awareness of their ethical responsibilities as designers.

Using a mixed-methods approach combining surveys and facilitator observations, the case study found that the workshops’ informal, interactive structure and adaptable content were central to their success. Exercises such as the “Privilege Walk” encouraged reflection on social inequalities, while critical case studies — for instance, comparing Dieter Rams’ design principles with an interview from a designer of the electric chair — fostered ethical reflection and critical thinking.

• 83.3% of students reported an improved understanding of their responsibilities as designers.
• Most participants described the atmosphere as inspiring (64.1%) and informal (58.9%).
• 100% rated the organization and structure of the workshops positively.

Bridging the Gap Between Awareness and Action

Despite these positive outcomes, the study identified an important gap between awareness and action. While most students deepened their understanding of ethical responsibility, only 53.8% felt fully prepared to apply these insights in practice. The findings suggest that additional support measures, such as follow-up sessions or mentoring, could help students transfer ethical principles into their professional work.

Toward Responsible Design Education

The study concludes that short, flexible workshops provide an effective and practical way to overcome institutional barriers in teaching. A large majority of students — 85.9% — expressed support for integrating such workshops permanently into the curriculum.

This flexible approach offers a promising foundation for promoting responsible design practices in a rapidly changing world. Future research will explore how this model can be scaled and how its long-term impact on students and educational institutions can be assessed.

Citation