HUMAN-CENTRED SUPERVISION: SHAPING FUTURE DESIGNERS THROUGH COACHING IN FINAL YEAR PROJECTS

Our most significant products require a designer whose understanding of human empathy matches their technical skills; therefore, design education must evolve to reflect this crucial balance. In this context, the supervisor’s role in Product Design final year projects is not just crucial but pivotal in preparing students to meet modern industry challenges. This paper argues that the most effective supervisors act not just as instructors but also as coaches – cheerleaders who push each student to navigate creative challenges, grow personally and professionally and reach their individual potential. The supervisor's influence has a considerable transformative effect, extending beyond the boundaries of the traditional domain of education and shaping the future of design practice. A coaching approach focuses on understanding each student’s individual limits, providing honest feedback, and engaging deeply in the journey of their projects. Supervisors help build students’ self-confidence and pride in their work by fostering a collaborative atmosphere that emphasises creativity, problem-solving, and active participation. This human-centred supervision prioritises student growth and development, ensuring that graduates complete their studies as well-rounded individuals. The paper draws on final-year project case studies from an undergraduate Product Design programme to demonstrate the positive impact of coaching strategies on student success, creativity, and career preparation. It highlights the concept of “exit velocity”—the momentum students carry into their careers—as a key outcome of coaching-driven supervision. The findings, which show that coaching strategies lead to enhanced skills, confidence, and innovative thinking, align with educational theories such as Schön’s reflective practice and Kolb’s experiential learning. These theories emphasise the importance of learning from experience and reflection, supporting the argument for a shift towards coaching as a pathway to developing innovative, human-centred designers.