Design Background: This study seeks to enhance students learning through the development and application of the Collective Design Method; combining industry tools and techniques with educational approaches. By applying industry best practice in terms of project planning and implementation tools, case studies and examples of best practice, alongside student lead teaching techniques, students can build up their live project experience and confidence while working with industry processes, helping them transition from education to industry. The study University has significant developmental experience in undergraduate level practice based learning through - CONCIEVE, DESIGN, IMPLEMENT, OPERATE - the CDIO approach to student-led practical learning at University level. The European Shell Eco-marathon challenge will form the basis of the practical design project and will involve a multidisciplinary team of students including Mechanical Engineering, Product Design and Design Management students. Methodology: A large scale, year long, team project has been running at the University annually for a number of years through the Shell Eco-marathon competition. This then provides the benchmark project for the new study. Review and Conclusions: The study will evaluate the teams' progress and learning gained through the application of the Collective Design Method process and tools in comparison to the previous student teams. Results are to be presented in the form of statistical data, qualitative user feedback and case studies to highlight areas of best practice.
