Government-aided Academic-Industrial Collaborative Capstone Design Class : A Case Study on the Development of Lifestyle Products with the Application of Graphic Art and Digital Textile Print

Bacground Due to the recent spread of sensitive consumption, 'lifestyle design' brands that utilize graphic design have become the biggest issue in the worldwide design market, because design has been developed as the core factor of product competitiveness. Meanwhile, in the domestic markets, lifestyle brands that counteract global lifestyle brands are nonexistent. On the other hand, government-level support and investment have been largely expanded with promotion policy to enhance a creative industry in order to overcome the slowdown of the Korean textile and design exports due to the loss of price competitiveness in the global competitive era. Accordingly, this study focuses on the launching of a global lifestyle design brand based on a government-aided academic-industrial collaboration project, which could contribute in the development of various skills for learners, generate revenues for industries, and create national wealth. Methods & Results This research is primarily divided into three parts: theoretical background; case study and suggestions for a government-aided academic-industrial collaboration capstone design course; and future progress. First, we established the definition of lifestyle design brand based on the theoretical studies related to lifestyle design, and the analysis of domestic and overseas markets. Second, we reviewed and studied the definition of academic-industrial collaboration and characteristics. Third, we investigated and suggested a new curriculum for a capstone design cource related to the academic-industrial collaboration of 'lifestyle product development, which utilize high-sensitive graphic art and high quality digital textile print(DTP)'. The government-aided project proceeded as a part of a global professional technology-development business funded by the Ministry of Industry, Trade, and Energy, and the Korea Institute of Industrial Technology Evaluation and Management, from May, 2013 to May, 2014. Fourth, we suggested the content related to commercialization after the termination of government support. Conclusions This study resulted in the investigation and launch of a design brand through academic-industrial collaboration based on a government-aided projects while promoting commercialization and creating results by effectively utilizing infra of each other. Therefore, we expect that the establishment of a national high-value lifestyle brand could surpass representative global lifestyle brand from Finland, called 'Marimekko'. The study reinforces the base of global competitiveness and the enhancement of image as a design power.