In this position paper we describe how experience from aICT research project, interLiving, can influence HCIeducation. The project also raises interesting aspects on therole of design research. The interLiving project is anexample of a successfully conducted cooperative designprocess and could therefore have impact on both HCI anddesign educations. These impacts could influence the viewon multi-disciplinary work, participatory design and whatmethods to use.This is a research case study that can be used to show howfruitful close collaboration between people with differentbackground can be. It also shows that it is equallyrewarding with close collaboration with users. We believethat this experience can have great impact on HCI andindustrial design education.