Abstract

This article details a case study at a Portuguese higher education design institution. It describes and reflects on the collaborative development of a ceramic product and its packaging. This case study uses the Project-Based Learning (PBL) methodology to explore collaborative design. It bridges the material and immaterial heritage of a ceramic art school and its museum, addressing a practical need of the school’s community. This context allows us to highlight the dynamics realized through partnerships and their relevance in integrated sustainable design projects within the territory. The description of this process includes an account of the constitution and the importance of cooperation, which sought to solve a design problem. This is followed by a presentation of the different process stages, developed in other places and over various periods. Finally, it presents the exhibition created to validate the concept and promote the results of all those involved. The study reinforces the importance of community collaborative participation in sustainable development by offering reflective insights for researchers, teachers, and professionals interested in design projects committed to the territory.