Adopting Engineering Problem Solving Framework for Applied Art Training

In this paper, I will share my experience of how an engineering problem-solving framework can be adopted as an effective art pedagogy, especially for training applied art students. The major difference between applied art and fine art students from the perspective of training outcomes is the difference in their professional practice. While a fine artist is involved in constantly exploring new ground, an applied artist is also required to perform a task to fulfill the field-specific demand. While a fine artist may create a sculpture for sole visual enjoyment, a product designer needs to develop a product for its physical application. A car has to be driven. A cup has to hold liquid. Therefore, to tailor the needs of applied art students, a structural approach has its advantages. A new pedagogical approach borrows from the robust structure of engineering and scientific problem solving, the cause-and-effect diagram (also named the fishbone diagram) to develop a training approach for applied art foundation students. This engineering framework illustrates how a complex art-creating process can be deconstructed. Hence, variables can be introduced to make the overall creative exploration more efficient. A few students shared their experiences after participating in this art training approach. Keywords: cause, effect, fishbone, art, Ishikawa