Comments on: The erosion of design education

By: Stephanie Rexroth

Stephanie Rexroth — Sun, 04 Jul 2010 21:30:43 +0000

You have said it quite well. I was just having yet another conversation on the same subject w/a fellow designer this past week.

"Many of these institutions tout the state-of-the-art software that they teach, as a key benefit of their curriculum. I would argue that the applications used in our industry are simply a means to an end, and should remain far from the focus of any design curriculum. An education in design has everything to do with process, craft, and critical thinking. (Photoshop comes pretty easy when you have those first points covered.)

To the trained eye, it’s easy to see the difference between the programs offered by varying institutions; however, the issue is that these new students often lack this critical ability to gauge the difference between programs. Isn’t it then someone’s responsibility to inform them?"

As you have stated, the biggest injustice is that these institutions promise the world to this young audience. This is the same audience who is coming out of an extremely sheltered environment -- manufactured by both well-meaning parents and public education system that have worked very hard to paint a picture of the world that is entirely false; one in which everyone is a winner and everyone else has their best interests in mind. Instead of helping, it sets these wide-eyed deers in the headlights up for broken hearts and dreams.

Sadly, the outright usury of these institutions is the first rude awakening for an entire generation. They only realize shortly after investing a large sum of time and $$ into a shallow-at-best degree that the world is not what it seems and that they have been taken advantage of (to the point of it being criminal).

I have worked in my own little ways to deter high school students from going straight into technical design schools who promise them the world. I urge them to invest the time for a more useful and well-rounded 4 year bachelors degree at an accredited university. At the very least, such a degree/program provides them with more options for the future. If they ever want to transfer schools, change majors or go back to school for graduate work, the degree that they will posses (often at a 1/4 of the cost of the technical schools) will be much more accommodating. Plus, it will serve them much more in developing the critical thinking and problem solving skills needed for many areas of their lives -- both professionally and personally. I personally went to a state school and participated in and graduated from the honors program from said university. I'm still discovering the value of such an education that emphasized exploration, questioning, thinking and discovering.

There's lots of talk for design advocacy for our profession in the now. I also think this design advocacy needs to stand-up and fight for those who are just beginning their journeys and seeking educational options in design.

I have spoken to far too many recent grad who realize that they have been used. Far too many institutions (I use the term loosely) have made far too much money off of their naivete.

By: James Kurtz III

James Kurtz III — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 16:02:30 +0000

Your "rant" on design education is certainly justifiable.

It upsets me as well when I see advertisements on television that claim "you can be a graphic designer," and the ad is for a technical school. Why can't these schools say "you can be a production artist"? If you only have technical training then you will (most likely) not become a designer (or a good one anyway).

The jobs that suit technical graduates best are Pre-press or art assistant. Which are great occupations. So why do these schools mislead in their ads? Does they get more students or do they think people don't get what a pre-press technician does? Either way it's wrong.

It would be like a nursing school telling people that they too could become doctors.

Maybe the industry itself needs to start making clearer distinctions between a graphic technician and a graphic designer. Both are needed to create quality work.

By: Jonathan Patterson

Jonathan Patterson — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 01:57:02 +0000

Wow, this looks like it has been unattended for a while and now it's picked up traction again!

Having graduated from a good school about 5 years ago, my view is that no matter what school you go to you will only take away what you put in. Granted, if the people leading the way aren't as skilled as they should be this posses a problem. But even if they are skilled one needs to take it upon themselves to push the limits of their capabilities.

Good post though.

By: Rondal Scott

Rondal Scott — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 19:01:05 +0000

Curious how the New Caledonia site is no longer live. Having spread my academic experience between collegiate pursuit and on-the-job training (so much of it unfortunately unpaid) I can attest to the ill-refined response of "higher education" to offer advertising/design programs. Unfortunately many students must find it within themselves to exceed to boundaries of their typical assignments and seek out opportunities on their own time. This is bothering as the cost of many programs far outweighs the potential benefit as those hours would be better spent in the industry as an intern.

The biggest problem seems to stem from the rate at which this medium is constantly changing and evolving which can make it hard to develop curriculum for (but not impossible as Rhode Island attests). Its a tough industry to work in and one that is perhaps least understood by those who you will work for/with (clients and managers), but if you're the type who can't stop creating, drawing, thinking, and producing then is no greater feeling than when a good idea finally breaks through and can be shared by the world.

By: Eric Karjaluoto

Eric Karjaluoto — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 22:13:07 +0000

There are plenty of options. The fact is: many designers have taken non-traditional paths in their careers.

Here's what I suggest:

1. Decide specifically what kind of work you want to do
2. Find a way to make *a little* money
3. Do whatever you can to work with great people
4. Learn

The first point is the most important. Do you want to be an interaction designer, developer, communication designer, or something else? You need to figure this out, so that you can reduce the amount of information you need to absorb. Meanwhile, this will allow you the time to gain relevant experience.

Money, of course, is sort of a big deal. Ultimately, you need a little in order to pay the rent. Everyone's situation is different though and you have to weigh money versus experience. If you can find a way to keep costs low, you might be able to take on an amazing internship somewhere. (That may be more valuable than a better-paying job.) Whatever you take on though – be it copy-center or internship – spend as much time learning as you can. Even seemingly boring production work can make you a better designer.

If you really love the work, and will bust your ass to improve your skill set, you might find someone who'll take you under their wing. Great people can make a huge difference in your growth as a designer. Another possibility, on this note, is to apply to a longer program. I'm alumni, so I'm biased; but, I think Emily Carr's four year programs give designers a lot of time to mature.

The last point is one that lasts forever. Buy (or borrow) design books and absorb them; "google" terms you don't understand; familiarize yourself with designers relevant to your area of interest and get to know what their stories are. Personally, I think this point is the one that makes/breaks designers. I've met people with great promise whose careers fizzle-out because they just aren't that interested. On the other hand, I've met ones with weak portfolios, who knock everyone's socks off a few years later. If you love doing this and you practice enough, you can rock.

Working as a designer is sometimes hard, but it can be equally rewarding. Don't see your current situation as anything more than a temporary setback. Determine what you want and simply go get it. Don't let anything stand in your way.

By: Kristi

Kristi — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 21:56:25 +0000

As a newly graduated member of the New Media program i completely agree with you on this one. Although there were one or two teachers who could be of assistance, the majority were vastly underqualified, and didnt seem to have any real interest in teaching us what we needed to know. I talked to the woman who organized the program and told her that I ( as well of the rest of our classmates) felt that the program needed to be longer. Her response was that people wouldn't take the course if it was longer than two years.

Right now I am currently trying to create a new portfolio for finding work in this field.

I know I am no where near qualified to get a job in the design industry (as I was so promised), but I figure that if I can even try to get a job a copy center or printing center then I can learn at least a little bit more.

I wonder if you have any advice for the students that have already made the mistake of going to a school that "mis-educated"? Is there hope for us still?

By: Mike Rutherford

Mike Rutherford — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 00:54:54 +0000

I have to say as a recent graduate from the New Media Communications and Design Program, you are absolutely right. I've learned nothing that will transfer to any design job from that course. The only thing I took from it was a group of friends that all wanted to get into the design field.

Everything that I show in my portfolio are things I taught myself. I have no idea what the quality of these pieces are anymore and now I rarely ever show my portfolio.

The course is trying to run with the big boys like Emily Carr, but it's a diploma -- 2 years. There's far too much being thrown at you to learn any of it any of it. If the course was 4 years, then maybe there would be something to take away from it but unfortunately it just leaves you high and dry with $6000 missing from your pocket.

I honestly hope that the course changes but with 25 more kids coming next year, it doesn't look like anything will. :'(

By: B:)

B:) — Tue, 08 Aug 2006 18:51:34 +0000

Hi all, hope you're still plugged into this blog...just found it after doing some research on multimedia. Just thought I would throw this at you. I grew up in a small, northern, sheltered town. But, oddly as it may sound, I was raised keeping world history, art and culture in mind, largely through a western lense, admittedly, but aware of the greater world beyond none the less. I've travelled. Degree History in Art. Degree Interior Design. and lately added Multimedia. Lets just say I understand the language of Art & Design. I know how different schools approach the "curriculum" dire-lemma from first hand experience. All of you have made valid points. But let's face it. The market is a hungry beast and it loves to feast on Pop culture. And it's a narrow genre. Think about it. There is already sooo much of it out there. How narrow is the gap to come up with something original, that still fits the pop need? If you are a student going into the arts/design...you better know that you can produce & be comfortable with popular culture. That's what the market wants. Curriculums don't shape students towards what the market wants. They don't tell you what it's actually like out there, what the demand is. That's for each individual student to figure out on their own. The earlier they figure that out the better. If you've got that sorted before you enter the program...GREAT! But let's be realistic...who does? Probably just those students who ease their way through, not needing any particular guidance to begin with. (as mentioned above) If you grew up in the city, have a relative in the field, or just happened to love MTV since you could walk, I think you may have a chance...if you really work hard, have the passion & can think critically & creatively, well then you might have a chance...but it's a narrow one at best. You can have all the passion in the world. You can go to the "right" school. But at the end of the day, if the preliminary formation years & having the right connections...not to forget being in the "pop culture" loop aren't there...well then, "working hard" and "having passion" take on a whole new meaning! And the pitty is, employers aren't ever going to know about it, because they can't see it in your portfolio. Investing in a person, shapping them on pure desire? Not likely. Today, the expectation is, we don't want to have to teach you much, because to be honest, we don't have the time & the bottom line is what counts, so we won't be investing in you. You better have what it takes when we hire you. So there in lies the gap. I feel for young people today. Getting stuck in the gap. No one there really to help them out of it. We've had discussions in school how come today, there is no Michelangelo or Leonardo equivalent? My guess is this discussion has got something to do with it! I've read a few books on the great designers of the world. They're personal take on what the path to success looks like? You know what most of them said? Failure and never really getting comfortable with it. Ya! And most of us fail a lot of the time...eventually you're going to have to pay some bills. But if I were to lay all the cards out on the table? I think it has more to do with a lost sense of the greater good & contributing to that vision...teacher, student, employer...no matter who you are. $$ is a lousy substitution. How do you like them apples??

By: clare

clare — Wed, 29 Mar 2006 13:24:02 +0000

but of course, i am speaking from a product design point of view.

now that i want to study for a BA, i am facing a difficult choice -

choose a school that focuses more on thinking skills, or technical skills?

because it is important that i communicate my design well, visually and verbally.

granted, i like to put a lot of thought into my projects, but will it matter if i can't communicate them effectively enough to sell my product/ idea?

so now i am trying to decide whether do do a more visual communications, skills oriented course or one that involves more industrial design and thinking skills.

any input will be greatly appreciated.

:)

By: clare

clare — Wed, 29 Mar 2006 12:59:50 +0000

hi, i got to your site because i was searching for information about the Emily Carr Institute ... thanks for the post and to all those who replied, very helpful...)

i don't think the schools set out to mislead people, maybe it's just that they cater to different needs?
eg. some people need to focus more on thinking skills, some need to brush up on the technical...(although, perhaps, a crash couse on design software would serve this purpose)

i think part of htis is due to the marketplace, some people just want to get a job, so if they have style and can master a software it is enough to get them a well-paying job.

because after all, in consumer culture most design is for disposable products with very short life-cycles, so as long as you can make it look good, it's considered enough.

much of design now is from the outside in, not the inside out, because of $$. fierce & fast competition, so maybe technical skills-oriented schools are catering to ppl who want to enter this line of work.

that said, perhaps those aspiring to do design seriously should be a bit more motivated to develop his/her own sort of thinking skills?
but i agree that having classes that push you to think is very helpful & important.