A PRACTISE OF A CREATIVITY-CENTERED PEDAGOGICAL MODEL FOR CHINESE DESIGN EDUCATION

Based on a doctoral research project on pedagogical innovation in higher design education for Generation Z in China, this paper examines how international exemplary educational models can be effectively integrated and localized within the Chinese educational context. An innovative teaching framework was researched, developed, verified and validated to meet the needs of Chinese design education in the study. The approach cultivated student's creativity as its central goal, the research integrates international advanced educational theories such as interdisciplinary teaching, CDIO framework and student-centered pedagogy. Also, aligned the student learning experience with the characteristics of China's education system and societal development needs. The resulting framework is systematic, structured, and highly adaptable, aiming to promote students' comprehensive development in creativity, critical thinking, collaboration, application ability, communication, and social responsibility through the integration of interdisciplinary knowledge and project-based practice. Drawing on students’ learning process experiences and self-evaluations, this paper evaluates the proposed teaching model and examines the adaptability of the CDIO approach in design education within the Chinese context.