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Using a students' workshop as a laboratory, this article summarises the observation of three years' implementation of a new study module for a Bachelor Program in Engineering Design (Interior and Furniture Design) at the University of Forestry, Sofia, Bulgaria. The article offers an analysis of group dynamics and the difficulties and issues observed during the process. Data from survey questionnaires are interpreted; proposals are made for future research. The conclusion of the authors includes the following points: positive response by students, important encounter with successful professionals and companies; creative fulfilment and experience of team work. On the weak side is the experienced discomfort in public presentation, lack of verbal and graphic skills, interpersonal issues and pressure of real requirements from teachers and company; lack of adequate attention by the tutors. The need of better understanding a team "code" of behaviour and preparation for an active learning method was felt. A proposal leading to a mixed-team organisation for better support of first-time participants in the module is made.

In the paper, an analysis is made of an implemented short study module "Design Project" for the students of the "Engineering Design" Bachelor program from the University of Forestry in Bulgaria. The aim of this publication is to reveal the process, its failures, and its successes. The dynamics and evolution of the design process were followed during the five days of the study module. The interaction between the students themselves, the teaching staff and the sponsor was observed. To this end, the results of an inquiry are presented. In the conclusion, attention is directed to the online implementation of the Design Project and its influence, as a result of specific conditions (last year of study, the implementation of the Teams platform, the participating teaching staff, and the sponsor) which created the necessary environment for the event. It was found that the online module probably helped for a more concentrated and productive activity, and for the smooth procedures of the event without any waste of time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Traditionally, the success of a company is determined by the attractiveness of the products and services it provides. The advantage of one company over another could stem from the characteristics of the product or service that distinguish them as better than competitor‘s ones. To a large extent, it is important for any company to achieve a long-term competitive advantage. On the other hand, the purpose of design is believed to create both creative and technological products or solutions that must meet a number of important criteria - functionality, usability, safety, aesthetics and many others. The discipline of design has evolved as an approach to create holistic solutions, going beyond the tangible side of the experience with the products. Now, the product is not only the object that is offered, this term includes everything that can be offered and at the same time satisfy the needs of consumers and be valuable. In the last ten years a tendency emerged that products became part of systems of products and services. During the planning of these systems attention should be focused on determining the specific actions to achieve the goals that are the company's strategy, ie. to determine its competitive advantage over all others, what makes the use of, the experience with these systems unique, and what is difficult to copy. The design of customer experiences in the context of product and service design can be mentioned as a current and strong competitive advantage. This approach can undoubtedly lead to a greater business value: large increase in sales volume, to an expansion of market share, to building customer relationships and, under extremely good conditions, to the return of already lost customers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Until recently, businesses could only rely on the quality of their products to introduce new products, services or innovations of various kinds. The success was only the result of the companies' focus on providing reliable and highly functional products / services on the market. This is no longer the case today. Most of the big brands have become marketing machines, competing with the rest - direct competitors, instead of focusing on consumer experiences, in the context of the design of their products and services. Product differentiation is becoming a trivial trick and today is no longer seen as a success factor in big business. The design of customer experiences is aimed at injecting purpose and empathy for everything related to the use of the product or service. Many startups, which in the recent past were just start-ups, now manage billions, thanks to the fact that they have focused on the customer experience both in the design of their products / services and in the business model, instead of marketing and strategy. for sales. Focusing on designing customer experiences gives businesses the opportunity to differentiate in a more meaningful way. It is even predicted that customer experiences will exceed the price and the product as key differentiators of the brand by 2022. Customer experience design is the practice of designing products / services with a focus on quality and attention to the user experience. Each point of contact within the customer's interaction with the product / service is designed to deliver experiences based on the promise of the brand. It requires companies to intertwine storylines through online and offline experiences that enliven the brand. Designing customer experiences is an effective way to increase the company's base, with the customer first and foremost. If customers are satisfied with the product / service, as well as with their experience in purchasing, they will become loyal defenders of the brand and will contribute to expanding the company's market share. This is the undisputed advantage of user experience design - customers are the key to success. Adopting practices that enhance the customer experience will undoubtedly lead to a return on investment and provide a solid foundation on which the brand can continue to grow. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]