IkigAI: Co-Reflection with AI to Enhance Career Direction Clarity in Design Education
About the project
As the design profession becomes increasingly diverse and fluid, many design students struggle to define a clear career direction. This paper investigates how a combination of generative AI and facilitated human reflection can support the development of career direction clarity. The study presents results from an explorative investigation of the IkigAI workshop, which combines the Japanese ikigai framework with GenAI as a co-reflective partner.
Inholland researcher Claudia Mayer and professor Wina Smeek conducted this research with Giulia Calabretta, researcher at TU Delft.
About the results
The findings show that GenAI can support reflection, broaden role awareness, and stimulate identity exploration. A career direction clarity emerges through a combination of conceptual insights and practical action, although the impact depends on individual and contextual factors. Our findings highlight GenAI’s potential as a co-reflector, complementing human-led reflection by providing personalized, context-sensitive feedback.
The research publications
IkigAI workshop - 2 worksheets print
This document contains two worksheets designed for use during the IkigAI workshop to facilitate structured self-reflection and career exploration. Based on the four core dimensions of the Ikigai framework—Passion (what you love), Profession (what you are good at), Mission (what the...
IkigAI workshop - 2 worksheets printIkigAI workshop instructions
This document provides a practical guide for organizing and facilitating an IkigAI workshop that integrates artificial intelligence (AI) to support participants in reflecting on their personal and professional development. It outlines the preparation process, including adapting...
IkigAI workshop instructionsIkigAI workshop presentation - Discover your career potential with IkigAI
This PowerPoint presentation describes the IkigAI workshop, an interactive session that helps participants gain greater insight into their career path by combining the Ikigai model with AI-supported reflection. Participants explore what they enjoy, what they’re good at, what the...
IkigAI workshop presentation - Discover your career potential with IkigAIIkigAI: Co-Reflection with AI to Enhance Career Direction Clarity in Design Education
As the design profession becomes increasingly diverse and fluid, many design students struggle to define a clear career direction. This paper investigates how a combination of generative AI and facilitated human reflection can support the development of career direction clarity. The...
IkigAI: Co-Reflection with AI to Enhance Career Direction Clarity in Design Education“When ChatGPT told me I am a mediator, I really resonated with that.”
- Participant reflecting on how GenAI can affirm personal identity, supporting career clarity and confidence
Our collaboration partner
