New Competencies Required in Future Development of Design Education
Year: 2014
Editor: Erik Bohemia, Arthur Eger, Wouter Eggink, Ahmed Kovacevic, Brian Parkinson, Wessel Wits
Author: Crea, Nicola
Series: E&PDE
Institution: Politecnico di Milano, Italy
Section: Design Education in Practice
Page(s): 366-371
ISBN: 978-1-904670-56-8
Abstract
Evolving from his early abilities of artist applied to improve industrial serial products, the designer should be able now to manage the whole process of innovation, from detection of user needs to new possible ways of product distribution. To perform these activities designers have to be prepared in different fields of knowledge. Time for this preparation might be too long for a course of studies in higher education. Starting from a list of qualities and competences that design professionals should perform, the research aims to identify which skills or abilities could be acquired earlier in the education path. What are the desirable qualities that a student should already have in terms of character disposition, specific technical knowledge, creative or speculative abilities, sensibility or taste refinement, entrepreneurship, or competence on specific issues? From a survey on a hypothetical “design professional profile”, and trying to define a priority list of the different subjects to learn, supported by major pedagogical principles, the paper describes what a desirable evolution for a designer could be. Purpose is to give useful and verified information to teachers and institutions desiring to offer more complete and appropriate preparation to their students.
Keywords: Design education, future, pedagogical principles, teaching, multidisciplinarity