29 June 2009

You know how NBC has those little vignettes that bring attention to critical social issues? I'm a firm believer that design can assist in addressing some of these issues so consider this post to be my own version of "the more you know."

"Design education is not keeping pace with the growing demand for new design professionals able to operate in a range of service-based environments.

Our paper, Social Animals: tomorrow’s designers in today's world by Sophia Parker, argues that design education is still largely hinged on industrial principles. Students need to be equipped with a broader range of research and communication skills, alongside their more traditional design skills, and encouraged to think more laterally about the sites and spaces where these could be used. The report outlines six challenges for design educators."


These challenges are titled:
1. Developing actionable insights
2. Doing co-design ethically
3. Making things real
4. Seeing the bigger picture
5. Selling the idea
6. Finding problems as well as solutions

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The RSA encourages public discourse and critical debate by providing platforms for leading experts to share new ideas on contemporary issues. Their projects generate new models for tackling the social challenges of today and their work is supported by a 27,000 strong Fellowship - achievers and influencers from every field with a real commitment to progressive social change.