Knowledge Mapping and Evolution of Research on Curriculum Reform in Design Education: A Bibliometric Study (2006–2026)

Abstract

Against the backdrop of global higher education transformation and the restructuring of paradigms in the design industry, curriculum reform in design education has evolved from localized exploration into an important branch of design research. This study aims to systematically examine the knowledge structure, research hotspots, and thematic evolution of this field over the past two decades, providing theoretical support for future teaching practice.Using the Web of Science Core Collection as the data source, this study retrieved and screened 668 core publications published between 2006 and 2026. CiteSpace (6.2.R4) was employed to conduct analyses of co-cited references, keyword co-occurrence and clustering, timeline mapping, and burst detection, thereby constructing a visualized knowledge map of the field.The results show that: (1) both the number of publications and citation frequency exhibit a continuous upward trend, entering a period of rapid growth after 2019, reflecting the high sensitivity of design education reform to socioeconomic transformation; (2) core research is mainly concentrated in the fields of architecture and education research, forming a stable knowledge base supported by professional competency assessment, systematic methodologies, and empirical case studies. The United States dominates research output, while China shows strong growth momentum as a second-tier contributor; (3) research themes have evolved from early focuses on basic skill instruction and studio-based models, to sustainable design and environmental responsibility, and further to digitalization, intelligent technologies, and student-centered approaches; and (4) burst detection indicates that Artificial Intelligence (AI), Virtual Reality (VR), educational equity, and interdisciplinary integration represent the current and emerging research frontiers.This study outlines the evolutionary trajectory of design curriculum reform research and identifies the dual driving forces of industry–education integration and intelligent teaching, providing references for future research directions and curriculum system optimization.