Abstract

This paper presents the experience developed in the Juan Fernández Islands, a remote archipelago and national park off the coast of Chile, developed with undergraduate students of Industrial Design. The objective of the research is to promote the education of Industrial Design students, through their integration into the territory and coexistence with its inhabitants and customs, to improve their quality of life and job performance. The methodology considers two weeks student stay in the selected territory, to generate synergies with local people and define improvements to their living conditions. The stages developed are eight, 1. Collection of information through design research methods; 2. Construction of a referential framework of performance and needs; 3. Co-creation of an action plan, considering users, territorial resources, preservation of identity and respect for the environment; 4. Conceptual definition of the design proposals to be developed; 5. Formal development and prototyping stage; 6. Co-development between designers and users; 7. Definition of the proposals and their management model for their integration into the daily life system; 8. Socialization with the members of the community. The results are proposals that can be manufactured with local materials and technologies. The conclusions mention that a better understanding of the motivations and