Survey of DIT Second Year Interior Design & Furniture Students 2014-15

A retrospective study on:

Can a Blended Learning approach help to overcome learning challenges in First Year?
__________________________________________________________________________________
There were 8no. questionnaires completed by the 2nd year group, out of a possible 12.
Note: The respondent number refers to the same person when answering each question.

Q1 - Course Choice
What were the main aspects about the course content that attracted you to the BA Interior Design
& Furniture course at DIT?
8no. Respondents:
1. Learning the relevant tasks to perform in an interior design industry/company.
2. I always liked to design and when I read the content I was excited to learn the CAD and
other programs. I was also excited to work on projects that were given to us.
3. I had completed a one year PLC in interior design so I knew it was a course I wanted to
continue in, especially to receive a level 8. I loved the idea of creating commercial and
domestic design and also to improve my computer skills. I knew DIT would offer great
teaching.
4. The design aspect learning about all elements which must be considered when designing a
particular space. Learning the key tools and skills which aid good design.
5. It is more detailed compared to other colleges. It divides into interior and furniture.
6. Retail module, as before I started the course I was interested in retail planning.
7. No response.
8. No response.

Q2 - What were you looking for when choosing this course?

8no. Respondents:
1. Information and advice on how to become noticed in the interior design world.
2. I wanted to find my own style of design, learn techniques to express it.
3. There were a lot of modules that I had no idea how they linked in with interior design but I
was looking for a course that would improve my design skills, challenging me (which it
definitely has) and gain confidence in being creative.
4. I was looking to improve my computer skills and my knowledge of design.
5. Learning techniques of being a good interior and furniture designer.
6. Learn how to use basic tools of a designer: CAD, space planning, research.
7. I was looking to gain all the knowledge that I needed to become a successful interior
designer and have a life time career in the field.
8. How to design interiors, work with materials, learning about correct dimensions. Retail and
domestic design.

Q3 - The First Year Learning Experience

Write a brief reflection on the new learning challenges you had to overcome in first year.
8no. Respondents:
1. CAD, Plans, Elevations, Sections and construction.
2. We covered a lot of architectural bits in first year and a lot of them were quite difficult to
pick up Also, computer programs and finishing briefs on time was very challenging.
3. CAD was a huge challenge at the beginning I got very frustrated, especially with 3D. I found
model making quite difficult. Also, I found that I was quite hard on myself when it came to
designing. I think I held back a lot. I didnt have much confidence. I think once I got better at
CAD I built some.
4. I was introduced to the computer programme we use for the first time (CAD). I learnt about
scale and proportion, colour and perception, anthropometrics and ergonomics, the history
of design, photography and sketching skills.
5. Basis of everything. How to design, draw up a thing by hand and computer.
6. Definitely CAD and its 3D drawings.
7. For me, it was difficult to get used to doing a lot of self-directed study and getting used to
learning CAD etc.
8. Learning to use CAD was difficult. I had no experience with technical drawing before this
course. Sometimes I still struggle with CAD because there is much information to take in
when learning it.

Q4 - The First Year Learning Experience

Place the following in order of how challenging you found each task when you were learning in first
year, with the most challenging at 1 and the least challenging at 5.
8no. Respondents:
Respondant 1:
Technical Drawing

Free-hand Drawing

Sample & Mood-boards

Academic Writing (eg. essays)

AutoCAD

Please complete the following:

I found
CAD
programme.

the most challenging in first year because: I found it hard to utilise the

I found ____Moodboards _

the least challenging in first year because: I enjoyed creating them

(You do not have to choose one of the 5 above, if something else applies)

Respondant 2:
Technical Drawing

Free-hand Drawing

Sample & Mood-boards

Academic Writing (eg. essays)

AutoCAD

Please complete the following:

I found
essay writing
the most challenging in first year because: of the structure that was
required and how much work had to be put in to writing one.
I found ____freehand drawing _ the least challenging in first year because: I had done art and a
PLC course in drawing before.

Respondant 3:
Technical Drawing

Free-hand Drawing

Sample & Mood-boards

Academic Writing (eg. essays)

AutoCAD

Please complete the following:

I found
CAD
the most challenging in first year because: I was new to it and had to
spend a lot of time on it.
I found ____Sample boards _
the least challenging in first year because: I had done many
boards in my PLC the year before. Also, I felt they were primary to the design.

Respondant 4:
Technical Drawing

Free-hand Drawing

Sample & Mood-boards

Academic Writing (eg. essays)

AutoCAD

Please complete the following:

I found
CAD
the most challenging in first year because: it was something I was
learning for the very first time and had never been faced with a similar computer programme
before.
I found ____free hand drawing _
the least challenging in first year because: I had lots of
experience and practise with this at leaving cert level.
Respondant 5:
Technical Drawing

Free-hand Drawing

Sample & Mood-boards

Academic Writing (eg. essays)

1
3

AutoCAD
Please complete the following: I found
Academic writing
the most challenging in first
year because: English isnt my first language and it hard for me to understand those books, articles
and write out in my own words.
I found ____freehand drawing _
drawing before in high school.

the least challenging in first year because: I learnt hand

Respondant 6:
Technical Drawing

Free-hand Drawing

Sample & Mood-boards

Academic Writing (eg. essays)

AutoCAD

Please complete the following: I found

Academic Writing
year because: as a foreigner I am struggling with English writing.

the most challenging in first

I found ____Technical drawing _

the least challenging in first year because: I had some
experience from a previous school.

Respondant 7:
Technical Drawing

Free-hand Drawing

Sample & Mood-boards

Academic Writing (eg. essays)

AutoCAD

Please complete the following:

I found
CAD
the most challenging in first year because: I never had any experience
with computer programmes and Im usually more hands on with my work (eg. drawing etc.).
I found ___freehand drawing _ the least challenging in first year because: I was used to drawing all
the time during the leaving cert for my portfolio.

Respondant 8:
Technical Drawing

Free-hand Drawing

Sample & Mood-boards

Academic Writing (eg. essays)

AutoCAD

Please complete the following:

I found
Academic writing the most challenging in first year because: I lack in essay writing
skills and find it difficult to articulate myself well in essays.
I found ____Sample/Moodboards _ the least challenging in first year because: I am confident in my
ability to nicely layout photos and samples on a board, I prefer practical activities.

Q5 - Convergent and Divergent Thinking

Convergent thinking is the type of thinking that focuses on coming up with a single, well established
answer to a problem. e.g. 10 +10 = ?; or What colour is milk?
Divergent thinking is a thought process or method used to generate creative ideas by exploring
many possible solutions. e.g. How many things can you make out of a paper clip?

In the diagram above please circle the eight words which most describe the learning processes you would use
when you are doing any assignment on the course.

8no. Respondents:
Respondent 1:
Divergent green triangle: enhance, generate, explore, visualize
Convergent blue triangle: clarify, decisions, hone in/focus, guidelines
Would you describe yourself as a convergent or divergent thinker? Divergent
Why do you think this is the case? I like to explore and research before the creation of my final
design.

Respondent 2:
Divergent green triangle: explore, visualize, imagine, defer judgement, engage possibilities
Convergent blue triangle: clarify, make sense of, select
Would you describe yourself as a convergent or divergent thinker? Divergent
Why do you think this is the case? Because I always come up with more than one solution when
looking for one.

Respondent 3:
Divergent green triangle: generate, visualize, engage possibilities, imagine
Convergent blue triangle: decisions, make sense of, refine, select
Would you describe yourself as a convergent or divergent thinker?
more so Convergent.

Id like to think Divergent but

Why do you think this is the case? I have a tough time developing ideas. Im more inclined to pick an
idea quick enough that I can make sense of and improve it. I dont really explore many options like a
divergent person, but I still attempt to at times.

Respondent 4:
Divergent green triangle: explore,
combine/integrate, build on others

visualize,

imagine,

defer

judgement,

play

with,

Convergent blue triangle: decisions

Would you describe yourself as a convergent or divergent thinker? Divergent
Why do you think this is the case? I often come up with many possible outcomes andn possibilities.

Respondent 5:
Divergent green triangle: generate, explore, imagine, engage possibilities
Convergent blue triangle: decisions, make sense of
Would you describe yourself as a convergent or divergent thinker? Convergent
Why do you think this is the case? No response

Respondent 6:
Divergent green triangle: engage possibilities, combine/integrate, explore, visualize
Convergent blue triangle: guidelines, connect, select, make sense of
Would you describe yourself as a convergent or divergent thinker? Convergent
Why do you think this is the case? It can show we are developing our thinking progress.

Respondent 7:
Divergent green triangle: enhance, generate, explore, visualize, imagine
Convergent blue triangle: clarify, hone in/focus, select
Would you describe yourself as a convergent or divergent thinker? Convergent
Why do you think this is the case? Once I visualize something that I think will work I find it hard to
imagine different possibilities/ideas.

Respondent 8:
Divergent green triangle: visualize, imagine, combine/integrate, fantacize, build on others
Convergent blue triangle: Make sense of, decisions, hone in/focus, guidelines
Would you describe yourself as a convergent or divergent thinker? Convergent
Why do you think this is the case? I fin it difficult to come up with a number of different designs that
could work ia a space.

Q6 The traits of a good designer: Place the following in order from 1 to 10 indicating which you think is
the most important trait of a good designer, with 1 being the most important and 10 being the least.

Respondent 1:
Artistic Ability

Awareness of Audience

10

Communication

Creativity

Eye for Materials

Humility

Problem Solving

Team Player

Technical Skills

Vision

Artistic Ability

Awareness of Audience

Communication

Creativity

Eye for Materials

Humility

10

Problem Solving

Team Player

Technical Skills

Vision

Artistic Ability

Awareness of Audience

Communication

Creativity

Eye for Materials

10

Humility

Problem Solving

Team Player

Technical Skills

Vision

Artistic Ability

Awareness of Audience

Communication

Creativity

Eye for Materials

Humility

10

Problem Solving

Team Player

Technical Skills

Vision

Respondent 2:

Respondent 3:

Respondent 4:

10

Respondent 5:
Artistic Ability

Awareness of Audience

Communication

10

Creativity

Eye for Materials

Humility

Problem Solving

Team Player

Technical Skills

Vision

Artistic Ability

Awareness of Audience

Communication

Creativity

Eye for Materials

Humility

10

Problem Solving

Team Player

Technical Skills

Vision

Artistic Ability

10

Awareness of Audience

Communication

Creativity

Eye for Materials

Humility

Problem Solving

Team Player

Technical Skills

Vision

Artistic Ability

Awareness of Audience

Communication

Creativity

Eye for Materials

Humility

Problem Solving

Team Player

10

Technical Skills

Vision

Respondent 6:

Respondent 7:

Respondent 8:

Respondent 8: This part of the survey was very difficult theyre hard to choose between.

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Q7 Multimedia Learning
In your CAD module in first year you were given post-lecture videos (screencasts) via e-mail to look
at after class. (As a reminder, you completed surveys on this in first year.)
8 Respondents
i. Please write a brief reflection on how you used them in first year.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.

No response
I found them very useful and I looked back at them a lot when I was stuck.
I think I would have learned more if I re-watched the video a few times. Thats my own
fault. I did feel that they helped a lot. Its easier to learn by watching and copying.
To aid my learning if I was struggling with a particular command.
When I face a problem in CAD.
I used them mostly when I missed a class, or when I forgot some of the tuitions.
I used them when I couldnt remember how to use a certain tool in previous classes.
If there was anything that I may have forgotten from the CAD class I would look back on
the videos when I was stuck on something.

ii. Do you still refer to the videos in your learning in 2nd year?
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.

yes
I have once or twice
I havent so far this year
yes
yes
yes
not yet
yes, sometimes

iii. Has your opinion changed towards learning CAD software (Autocad, Sketchup, Photoshop,
Illustrator) in second year, and if so, please say why?
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.

Yes I have improved in cad and excelled in Sketchup.

I find it easier now and I learned to have more patience with it now.
Yes it has. I feel like I am more capable in my computer skills after learning the basics.
Yes I did a lot of practise over the summer and took the time to familiarise myself with the
tools.
Sketchup is easier for 3D.
I guess.
Yes, I understand the benefits a lot more and how they can make your work more
professional.
In first year I never thought of using Photoshop and Illustrator but now that we have a class
on it this year I see the benefits of it for the course.

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iv. Place the following in order of how challenging you found each assignment in the first year CAD
module, with the most challenging at 1 and the least challenging at 4.
Respondent 1:
1st Semester: Activities 1 to 16

1st Semester: Survey/sketches/tech. drawing by hand

1st Semester: End of semester cad drawing test

2nd Semester: Reception design project

Respondent 2:
1st Semester: Activities 1 to 16

1st Semester: Survey/sketches/tech. drawing by hand

1st Semester: End of semester cad drawing test

2nd Semester: Reception design project

Respondent 3:
1st Semester: Activities 1 to 16

1st Semester: Survey/sketches/tech. drawing by hand

1st Semester: End of semester cad drawing test

2nd Semester: Reception design project

Respondent 4:
1st Semester: Activities 1 to 16

1st Semester: Survey/sketches/tech. drawing by hand

1st Semester: End of semester cad drawing test

2nd Semester: Reception design project

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Respondent 5:
1st Semester: Activities 1 to 16

1st Semester: Survey/sketches/tech. drawing by hand

1st Semester: End of semester cad drawing test

2nd Semester: Reception design project

Respondent 6:
1st Semester: Activities 1 to 16

1st Semester: Survey/sketches/tech. drawing by hand

1st Semester: End of semester cad drawing test

2nd Semester: Reception design project

Respondent 7:
1st Semester: Activities 1 to 16

1st Semester: Survey/sketches/tech. drawing by hand

1st Semester: End of semester cad drawing test

2nd Semester: Reception design project

Respondent 8:
1st Semester: Activities 1 to 16
1st Semester: Survey/sketches/tech. drawing by hand

1
1
1
4

1st Semester: End of semester cad drawing test

2nd Semester: Reception design project

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v. Are there other modules in which such multimedia tutorials would have helped to overcome
new learning challenges, and if so, please say why?
1. A module that isnt thought i.e.Sketchup
2. I think it works the best on CAD and other computer programs.
3. When using Sketchup. I think that is due to the fact we have to self-teach. Some aspects
/tools are very similar to CAD.
4. YouTube videos of Sketchup.
5. Maybe in those computer skills/class.
6. Not much module, but other software like Illustrator, Photoshop, Sketchup. Had to look for
tutorials on YouTube and not all of them are good.
7. No response.
8. I dont think so. I think it only would have been effective in modules similar to CAD.
vi. Do you think video screencasts could be a useful presentation format for your own project
work in second year and beyond? If so, please say when and why?
1. Yes. Saves paper and can be combined easily without loss of info i.e. loose pages.
2. I believe so because it would help to look through the work later on and look back.
3. I think they could be. For example, the previous second years doing videos to show their
nightclubs (which we are currently getting towards). It was able to give the viewer so much
more.
4. No, I think a simple live presentation is much more beneficial to the audience.
5. Yes, because video shows the steps better.
6. Yes they could be useful.
7. Useful for our nightclubs as it helps to show the client (first years) around the space.
8. I dont think so. I prefer presenting using software like PowerPoint as it is quick and easy to
use. That is just my opinion.
If you have any further comments about the screencasts or the learning processes in the first two
years of the course, please add them here:
1. No response
2. No response
3. I think the way we were thought in first year was highly appropriate. We needed that extra
guidance and it helped a huge amount.
4. No response
5. Learning more 3D in AutoCAD and Sketchup.
6. No response
7. No response
8. No response

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