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.
