Pedagogy and Professional Development

Teaching to Innovate with Taskscape

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Abstract

Teaching innovation requires effective methods to encourage creative thinking and design problem-solving. One such method is taskscape, derived from Ingold’s (1993) concept of tasks within a contextual "landscape." This framework emphasizes analyzing human and non-human interactions across tasks to uncover design complexities. Taskscape differs from journey mapping by focusing on a network of interactions rather than sequential events. Applied in educational settings, taskscape was used in projects at two universities involving diverse student groups. Students developed taskscapes and design criteria for projects like summer sportswear for seated clients and crime prevention. While some initially struggled with the concept, taskscape ultimately facilitated deeper ideation and refined designs, with tools like personal logbooks aiding understanding. Students found it easier to derive design criteria after taskscape analysis, identifying core values and priorities. The results highlight taskscape’s potential as a systematic approach in design education, warranting further research into its applications.

Keywords: Design Process, Product Development, Teaching and Learning

How to Cite:

Strickfaden, M., Thomas, J. & Tullio Pow, S., (2025) “Teaching to Innovate with Taskscape”, International Textile and Apparel Association Annual Conference Proceedings 81(1). doi: https://doi.org/10.31274/itaa.18777