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2026 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

WIP: Design Competency Development via Digital Storytelling in Culture-Inspired and Client-Driven CAD Projects

Presented at Engineering Design Graphics Division (EDGD) Technical Session 3

Modern designers are not only builders but also storytellers who communicate ideas with clarity and impact. This paper presents ongoing instructional interventions aimed at helping first-year students develop both design and communication skills by integrating digital storytelling into CAD-based design projects.
Students engage in individual and team-based projects that explore the intersection of design, technology, and narrative. Individual projects focus on culture-inspired home décor, emphasizing form development and 3D printing. Collaborative projects involve functional and mechanical design for real-world, client-defined products, encouraging teamwork and peer mentoring.
In both contexts, students document their design process through visual and narrative media, culminating in digital stories (e.g., videos, animations, interactive slideshows) that incorporate sketches, CAD models, voiceovers, and personal reflections. These stories serve as both a communication tool and a means of self-assessment.
Student learning and skill development are evaluated through a combination of qualitative and quantitative methods. Pre- and post-activity reflections are analyzed using thematic coding to assess growth in design thinking, communication, and collaboration. Digital storytelling artifacts are evaluated using structured rubrics that measure creativity, clarity, technical execution, and narrative coherence. These rubric-based evaluations are triangulated with survey data to validate gains in design competencies. Peer and instructor feedback further support formative assessment throughout the project lifecycle.

Authors

Dr. Raghu Pucha Georgia Institute of Technology [biography]

Dr. Raghu Pucha is a Principal Lecturer at Georgia Tech’s Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering, specializing in CAD/CAE and manufacturing. He teaches courses in computer graphics, design, mechanics, and manufacturing, and leads research on computational tools for designing advanced materials and systems, including nano-filler composites for structural and electronic applications. Dr. Pucha holds three U.S. provisional patents and has authored over 70 peer-reviewed publications. His excellence in teaching has been recognized with multiple awards, including the 2023 Zeigler Outstanding Educator Award and the 2022 Inaugural College of Engineering Outstanding Teacher Award.
Jill Fennell Georgia Institute of Technology [biography]

Jill Fennell, the Frank K. Webb Chair in Communication Skills at the George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering at Georgia Tech, focuses on advancing written, visual, and verbal communication skills. Her research centers on affect theory and its application to technical communication, specifically information design. Jill studies how to enhance the effectiveness of pedagogical documents by incorporating principles from affect theory. Through her work, she aims to empower students, fostering an environment where they actively shape their communication interactions, including teamwork and ethical discussions. By integrating these principles, she goes beyond traditional methods, ensuring that students not only learn but also take an active role in shaping their communication experiences.
Shivani Kundalia Georgia Institute of Technology

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