Bethan Gordon

MSC BSc PGCE FHEA
e: bgordon@cardiffmet.ac.uk
t: 02920 416661

Specialist Subject Areas

Product Design. User Centered Design & User Testing Environments.

Qualifications

MSc Multimedia

PGCE Further & Higher Education

BSc (Hons) Product Design & Manufacture

Fellow of the Higher Education Academy

Biography

I have 10 years of academic and industrial experience.  During that time I have collaborated on projects with LTG, Clogau Gold,  Metabolics to name but a few.  I have also been the Programme Director for both the BA BSc (Hons) Product Design Programme and have played a role in developing an appropriate, fresh and exciting curriculum.  I am a moderator for one of Cardiff Metropolitan University’s collaborative partner’s programme; the FDA Contemporary Furniture Design course at Bridgend College  I have external examined an MA by Research for Huddersfield University and currently External Examine BA Product Design at Middlesex and MA Product Design at Nottingham Trent University. During this time I have researched and published at a number of International Conferences concerning Design Education and User testing in Design. I am a member of the PAIPR research group and to this end I research different user testing methodologies for products and the development of augmented environments that replicate the context of use.

In addition, I explore 3D by producing jewellery and objects made from precious metal, ceramic and textiles, the latest designs added to my portfolio are my ‘Blewie’ dolls! I am currently in the process of completing my PhD titled: Keeping it real - the potential for low tech. augmented reality to simulate context of use scenarios in user testing.

Current research

A member of the PAIPR research group and to this end I research different user testing methodologies for products and the development of augmented environments that replicate the context of use.

Currently in the process of completing my PhD titled: Keeping it real - the potential for low tech. augmented reality to simulate context of use scenarios in user testing.

Principal Publications and/or Exhibitions

10th Engineering & Product Design Education (EPDE) 2008: A Tool for Developing Creativity.

10th Engineering & Product Design Education (EPDE) 2008: Emulation of real life environments for user testing.

9th Engineering & Product Design Education (EPDE) 2007: Paper Presentation: Shaping Design Graduates: Assessing and Developing Core Competencies

Product Design Research (PDR) 2006: Paper Presentation: Emulation pf Real Life environment when user Testing.

8th Engineering & Product Design Education (EPDE) 2006: Paper Presentation: Developments in Teaching Approaches: ‘A Novel Approach to Learning Reinforcement’.

7th Engineering & Product Design Education (EPDE) 2005: Paper Presentation: Modular Degrees Fail to Deliver.

Home-Orientated Information & Telematics 2005: Paper Presentation: The traditional design process versus a new design methodology. A comparative case study of a rapidly designed Information Appliances.

Computer-Aided Industrial Design & Conceptual Design.2005: Paper Presentation: How to Design & Prototype an information appliance in 24 hours – integrating product & interface design processes.

Enterprise Projects and/or Industrial links

Metabolics.  Clogau Cold.  LTG International.  Novartis?   Numatic.  DAG Desing.  Design Reality.

Modules Taught

PDM 101U Design Process & User Needs

PDM 102U Computer Aided Technical Design

PDM 103U Research & IT Studies

PDM 104U Effective Communication of Design

PDM 304U Advanced Design Option

PDM 306U Major Project

APD 403M Professional Development Portfolio