Yep, here i go again! After a bit of a think on Geoff's comments on education and industry, and a bit of research, there seems to be a widespread view that industry professionals don't involve themselves too much at primary and secondary school level. From what i've read, this has a detrimental effect on young designers as they are not exposed to visual language early enough, and are not encouraged to think out of the box, which of course can have beneficial effects on other aspects of learning, not just the graphic arts.
So what i propose for my FMP is this:
'Twin' Graphic designers/agencies with their local school (in much the same way as towns/villages do with their counterparts in other countries). This way, designers have direct involvement with the next generation, instead of just moaning. I propose to send a covering letter to all would be participents, followed by an information/promotional package a few days later. I would then follow this up with a visit to all concerned. I would also work on the local education authority and try and get them interested. Wouldn't it be cool if this was nationwide? Every school in the country twinned with a designer/agency!
This idea is still abit fresh in my mind so haven't worked it all out yet, so i could really do with some feedback on this.
Christine
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9 comments:
The area that you are focussing on-that of design apprciation at school level is actually formally known as 'Enterprise' and now more widely facilitated in school than you might imagine.
I'm very supportive that you maintain the theme of interface towards a better educational experience...however maintaining a 'soap box' approach will probably get you nowhere, and if fact put peoples backs up.
I have an angle that you might be interested in- that is of real concern to me, my peers and professional colleagues within high level graphic design education...the area of foundation and diploma teaching and the continuation of 'outmoded mythologies'.
The tradition of teaching at this level extends beyond some 30 years, so why do we still assume in a more visually aware, concise and technology savvy age that to get on to a degree course:
You need an A1 portfolio
You need lots of life-drawing
You must keep lots of sketchbooks
You must write an essay about a 20th century 'art' movement
You must have dedicated desk space
You must see your tutor an awful lot to ask 'what do I do'
You must continue to silk-screen print
You must have access to wet photography
You must be good at 3D...???
Many of these characteristics are diametrically apposed to what we are actually looking for:
Strong individuality
Contemporary awareness
Self-direction
Contextual sensitivity
Purpose and ambition
Ideas around conceptional modelling
Evidence of the ability to engagae in deep learning...
...interested? How can we get the message out there?
Comments please.
GTS
Christine, you should really go on the points raised by GTS! Being forced to keep sketchbooks in school and foundation was sheer torture and had a severe counter-effect to the quality of final work I was able to produce. So was the regulation of having to work at desk-space during fixed 'class' hours (I focus far better in the evenings, and in a creative environment familiar to me, ie home). I think you should somehow raise awareness that there is choice of educational methods...even though I hated the 'outmoded' one I never actually questioned its validity until I saw it written out here!
Yeah... A1 portfolio... I was encouraged to waste a lot of time (and money) on that when it would have all fitted neatly in to an A4 book. The 3D element was a big irritation too... my tutors recognized that when translating from 2D to 3D something went wrong for me every time, but I ended up being coaxed in to having a couple of very shitty sculpture pieces in my book anyway.
Worthwhile battle to fight IMO.
Hi all, my daughter is at an enterprise college and has never met a graphic designer.
i did an access to art and design course and i remember one of my tutors going beserk when i said i didn't want to keep a sketchbook full of other peoples' stuff. He insisted that i start one, fill it up and start another; and it had to be a work of art. Fortunatly my graphics teacher was a little more enlightened; so does this happen on foundation at Chelsea? I guess the problem is with the curriculum being set, life drawing, pre raphaelite essays etc; great for fine art, but of no use for someone applying for a graphics degree. Surely it is the teachers who are out of touch then? Don't unis and colleges emphasise portfolio requirements?
Christine
The key point is that ALL feeder coures re-present all these mythologies. This is what makes the project highly relevant and necessary.
Do you have an interest in doing it?
GTS
Hi Geoff, yeah i have an interest in doing it, i guess this is a subject that could make many people uncomfortable, especially those within the teaching profession who may feel their methods are being questioned negatively. I'm in for D&AD tomorrow, can i have a chat with you then?
Christine
Hey Christine,
Sketchbooks were a couple of student’s nightmares. When I was at foundation at Chelsea nearly four years ago, they used to continually preached to us that we needed at least 4 sketch books to get onto the BA Graphic course and even held sketch book session to show us how they could be done. Half the class didn't really seem that interested in drawing as they never showed up.
Definitely an issue that needs to be addressed.
Hassie xx
During foundation at St.Martins your grade was essentially based on how 'thick' your sketchbook was...one ripping at the seams with bulging twigs and leaves was an A whereas a slim, pristine one with neat drawings was C. Students actually swapped tips on how to thicken your sketchbook instead of caring about the creative process.
(The trick is to stick thick items near to the spine so it splays open the pages, and cover every page with PVC glue which crumples as it dries...I just realise how perverse this sounds, like anorexics at ballet school swapping tips on how to eat cotton balls in orange juice!)
It's funny, i've heard similar horror stories today, we all seem to have had the same experiences! Gonna have a think on this a bit more.
Christine
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