Simply put, the design education system today is failing many aspiring young students. Some of the design schools they’ve attended have no real design process education, while others have only process education.
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Gadi Amit, fastcodesign.com blog
Gadi Amit, fastcodesign.com blog
Brandon Ferguson
on 14 Dec 10I would say this is my experience as well. My school had a nice mix at times but I would say was overly process heavy (which played a bit too much to my developer tendencies – not enough time outside of my comforts). Process is fantastic but if you can’t execute what’s the point? Meanwhile other programs were teaching execution but the end products were hollow and often missing the point.
Bringing these two together is so important but in my 5 years in school (I had an addiction to Minors) I have to say I was left with the feeling that there’s simply not enough time. Then again I think we could have been pushed harder – but the program has to be able to leave some students behind if that’s done.
Neil
on 14 Dec 10I wouldn’t say that was totally true, my university did an amazing job preparing us for the design industry. I know for a fact that allot of degrees offer hybrid modules that focus on coding skills as well as a ‘real’ design processes.
Perhaps this is present in the US?
B.C. Bailey
on 14 Dec 10From my experience many of Amit’s points ring true (design programs focus too much on process, research, etc.), yet I don’t regret my education at all (note I am a graphic designer, Amit seems to be speaking from an industrial design background). I obtained a Bachelor’s in graphic design from a small state school, and the program gave me a good foundation that I continue to build upon.
It’s true that design education needs reform. As design practice becomes more complex (animation, web development, ux and ui design, etc.) design schools need to move past the current research/process focused model.
I’d argue against Amit’s point of making programs more ‘consumer friendly.’ I’d think this would encourage the consumerist attitudes of many students, who already have a ‘trade school’ approach to design education (i.e. not “how do I critically approach design” but “what’s my starting salary?”).
Which brings me to my final point, design education is a two-way street. Too often there is a feeling of entitlement among design school students, who feel that their tuition alone gets them the keys to the pearly gates of design wisdom and success. Nah, rather it’s just a starting point. Only by supplementing one’s education with hard work, self taught knowledge and job experience can an individual achieve success.
Another interesting perspective: The Sentient and the Bag of Meat
Geoff
on 14 Dec 10Similarly, one could more succinctly say, “The education system today is failing students.”
Or, even more succinctly, “Experience teaches.” – Tacitus
Hibiscus
on 14 Dec 10@B.C. Bailey, thank you for the link to “The Sentient and the Bag of Meat.” It’s true that ambition, optimism and self-belief are widely considered uncool, and it was great to be rallied to a pursuit of bliss by such an enthusiastic champion.
It also made me miss all those late-night deep conversations one has in college.
This discussion is closed.