Proceedings of the 2025 4th International Conference on Educational Science and Social Culture (ESSC 2025)

Evolution of Design Capabilities Under a Collaborative Structure: An Empirical Study of a University Art and Design Studio

Authors
Yousheng Yao1, *, Junqi Zhan1, Junpeng Zheng1
1He Xiangning College of Art and Design, Zhongkai University of Agriculture and Engineering, Guangzhou, China
*Corresponding author. Email: 120752037@qq.com
Corresponding Author
Yousheng Yao
Available Online 25 March 2026.
DOI
10.2991/978-2-38476-553-9_81How to use a DOI?
Keywords
art and design studio; collaborative learning; graduate–undergraduate collaboration; design capability; design education
Abstract

This study investigates a university art and design studio to explore how a graduate–undergraduate collaborative model influences the development of design capabilities. Using 73 competition entries (2023–2025), a mixed-methods approach combining quantitative analysis and case studies examined work categories, competition levels, and award outcomes. Two IP designs and three poster projects were analyzed to trace changes in cultural expression and narrative structure. Results show that vertical collaboration enhances cultural depth, visual organization, and storytelling ability. The studio follows a “high-output training–low-output breakthrough” rhythm: intensive phases ensure stable productivity, while slower periods enable focused refinement and higher award rates. Overall, works evolved from symbolic representation to systematic cultural and narrative design, demonstrating the effectiveness of collaborative learning in improving studio-based design education.

Copyright
© 2026 The Author(s)
Open Access
Open Access This chapter is licensed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/), which permits any noncommercial use, sharing, adaptation, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, as long as you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons license and indicate if changes were made.

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Volume Title
Proceedings of the 2025 4th International Conference on Educational Science and Social Culture (ESSC 2025)
Series
Advances in Social Science, Education and Humanities Research
Publication Date
25 March 2026
ISBN
978-2-38476-553-9
ISSN
2352-5398
DOI
10.2991/978-2-38476-553-9_81How to use a DOI?
Copyright
© 2026 The Author(s)
Open Access
Open Access This chapter is licensed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/), which permits any noncommercial use, sharing, adaptation, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, as long as you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons license and indicate if changes were made.

Cite this article

TY  - CONF
AU  - Yousheng Yao
AU  - Junqi Zhan
AU  - Junpeng Zheng
PY  - 2026
DA  - 2026/03/25
TI  - Evolution of Design Capabilities Under a Collaborative Structure: An Empirical Study of a University Art and Design Studio
BT  - Proceedings of the 2025 4th International Conference on Educational Science and Social Culture (ESSC 2025)
PB  - Atlantis Press
SP  - 744
EP  - 752
SN  - 2352-5398
UR  - https://doi.org/10.2991/978-2-38476-553-9_81
DO  - 10.2991/978-2-38476-553-9_81
ID  - Yao2026
ER  -