The purpose of this research devised over a period of 10 years at ESTAL polytechnic university – Lisbon, Portugal, analyses the understanding of design thinking methodologies, by design students’, on the subject of cognitive ergonomics and future design practice in a communication design course.

Design brings together multiple disciplines. Technology, Engineering, Aesthetics, Human Machine Interface, Sociology, User Experience, Psychology, Cognitive Ergonomics, R&D are all part of a multi-disciplinary process that requires a broad understanding, aiming to provide the end user with adequate solution, knowledge and processes. It uses several methodologies to conceive products, services or systems underlying human interaction, improving human experience, concerning a specific issue, thus attempting to improve proposed set of problems within context (what, why, when, how, where, who).

The outcomes of this research, a learning methodology and exercises, provide design students with a framework, exploring insights and how to better interpret acquired visual knowledge and understanding. Thus developing creative awareness and critical thinking abilities, essential to a “Ah-Ha” moment and apt design practice.