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Can improvements to design curriculum be made?

I feel that the Liberal arts were beneficial to me because I was able to transfer concepts from general study areas to my designs.  “A strong foundation in the liberal arts will help utilize communication skills and strengthen these information-gathering and research skills” (Baseman, 2004).   So the challenge is to find a way to include the liberal arts without distracting from valuable time for learning design theory and thinking, software skills, and portfolio composition.  Should design students specialize in one design discipline?  But when many undergraduate students are new to design, how can they know what area they want to focus in?  Specialisation will narrow an entry-level designer’s options. “It is important to receive a broad undergraduate education, working between different media and a range of communication problems” (McCoy & McCoy, 2006).  One way a more rigorous curriculum could take effect, without having to lengthen it or require stricter acceptance standards, is by increasing problem-based or work-based learning in project assignments.  To maximize the time within the classroom, problem based learning could be facilitated by increasing group-based projects in and among courses. Because of the large numbers of students enrolled in graphic design programs, instructors are unable to spend as much time with individual students as they would like. By playing the role of facilitator rather than teacher, they can oversee group projects that require students to collaborate with students from other departments. They will simultaneously be exposing students to interdisciplinary experiences that emulate the real world of design.  And if work-based learning with clients via partner firms or agencies is possible, a collective effort between the profession and educators is necessary.

Perhaps there is no one best solution for creating the ultimate curriculum. But as designers and design educators, we can continue to strive for continuous efforts to make innovative improvements both in the curricula and beyond.  I’m convinced that the best way, the only way forward, is by taking responsibility for one’s own design education. Being a successful designer requires a continuous effort to learn, and this sort of attitude should be instilled by design educators.

October 23, 2014
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How can design courses be relevant?

Skills in designing porters, brochures and digital assets are essential; but skills in design management, business strategizing, and user centred theory and practise, provide students with a tool-kit of knowledge before they are left to fend for themselves.  As designers, we need to think creatively and critically to come up with novel yet effective solutions.  Looking at design education there has been a focus on design theory and production skills; as opposed to thinking skills and lifelong learning. It is important to evolve and develop student’s conceptual problem-solving skills with pedagogic practise.  Their practical skills will in term develop the more they practise implementing as outputs of their conceptual problem-solving.  It is absolutely true that stronger concepts make for stronger designs, but the technical execution and visual presentation (aesthetics) are important as well, not only for the sake of the product, but also for the sake of the student’s portfolio.

Students need both strong thinking skills and strong technical skills!

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What is the role of a modern Graphic Designer?

The role of a graphic designer has changed greatly since I started my engagement in the field almost 20 years ago.  In today’s market place for a graphic designer; employers & clients alike are looking for multifaceted, all-in-one designers of Print, Web, Multimedia, Interaction and more.  A modern designer needs to think critically and creatively, to communicate with a wide range of audiences and clients; and be a self-directed seeker of skills and information.  Graphic Design has seen a huge shift since the days of traditional print media; and even from the inception of internet-based mediums.  Today design is ubiquitous – from books to billboards to websites to mobile apps – with designers responsible for communicating a wider array of messages to a wider array of audiences.  There has been a shift from a focus on signs and symbols, characterised by formative stages of graphic and industrial design; to a focus on human actions and the environmental systems where these actions take place.  Good design has always married function and form; with the fact that increase varieties of both function and form that exist, means an increased challenge to the designer both technologically as well as conceptually.  In addition to the broader variety of design mediums to be competent in, the world of global business requires a heightened understanding of various markets and micro-markets in order to communicate messages effectively with the global village.  Graphic Design encompasses complex problem solving initiatives; with accountability for success becoming more measured in quantitative number, and the analytics of user engagement.  The results of an increased range of design mediums and increased global communication market, has changed the job expectations of a Graphic Designer.  Many companies want a Graphic Designer fluent in all web programming languages, and not just application knowledge, such as Photoshop or Dreamweaver.  Designer must be self-motivated seekers of knowledge in order to keep abreast of the industry and be competitive.

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Scott Hazell

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