Call for Comment

noreply@blogger.com (Shaun Morrison) — Wed, 2 Nov 2005 12:19:00 GMT

Image by me (Shaun Morrison)

Hello,
My name is Shaun Morrison. I am a third year graphic design student at Brighton University. I am currently conducting research about the purpose of degree level graphic design education. I have chosen this topic because it is of intense interest not just to me and my design peers, but to questioning individuals outside the ‘creative sphere’ i.e. family, friends and acquaintances.

Please read this short sketch that outlines an imaginary conversation between two people with opposing views on their experience of a graphic design course at a university. It is a simplified argument distilled from many conversations on the topic. A is the antagonist, telling B what they think is wrong with the current system as they see it. B is very much on the role of defending the situation that A is questioning.

N.B. I am remaining neutral as humanly possible to both views. I am not looking for specific information to bolster one rigid opinion I may have formulated. I am hoping the research will add to an on going and open dialogue to create a possible solution to help with any problems that are presented.

The Sketch:

A: Don’t you think it is silly that they [the university] don’t seem to teach us anything? It’s all very well them encouraging individuality but what about understanding the fundamentals such as ‘the printing process’, or ‘how people read an image’?

B: No, university is about self-initiated, self-directed learning. If you want to find out about the printing process or understand consumer psychology then look it up, do it yourself. That is what it is going to be like out there [in the real world].

A: So are you advocating a ‘survival of the fittest’ attitude? What about the student who is under-achieving, or perhaps doesn’t fit into the uni system? What do we pay our fees and taxes for if it is not to actually be taught or learn something that we could have gleaned from elsewhere?

B: As I stated – uni is not school. A person should choose the course and the place of study with passion and with care. A person who knew that a course that encouraged freedom of thought, and self-direction should not then complain things are too free and not rooted enough. University is abundant in opportunity: it is full of talented tutors, good facilities, and like-minded Creatives.

A: Yes I acccept this but surely it is a given that a degree course, especially one as practical as graphic design should somehow – as a major part of the criteria for passing – produce a student who would function out there. Sure the student can have his or her niche – I mean God forbid I’m not suggesting stifling creativity, far from it – but if they don’t know how to function as at least junior level professional graphic designers, how can they still receive a high level degree? The tutors whilst being talented designers do not possess the ability as teachers and often do not understand even the basics: how to effectively question, encourage and advise someone on the direction their work should take. As for the university environment being packed with like-minded people, I think this in itself becomes extremely dangerous because this leads to a sense of fantasy over reality. This fantasy is encouraged with the use of the critical appraisal whereby one or two star designers with all their fetishes and prejudices are responsible for evaluating and giving feedback on a students work.

B: Having a teacher over a practitioner is a ridiculous idea. Again you are putting forward an immature spoon-fed school model over the self-directed university one. A tutor who is not in the industry would not possess the current feel and direction of the marketplace and have less experience and advice to tap into. Also tutors are there to inspire: how can you look up to a tutor if you don’t respect the work they are producing? What is preventing students from finding out what they need without being told? And if indeed there were more structured lessons each with a specific task and outcome, who would be paying for this extra time and use of facilities? University is about being challenged, individuality and creativity, what is the point if the university’s task is to carbon copy these so-called needed skills into everybody? Where is the intellectual worth in that? And it is a fact that certain skills and certain modes of thought can actually only be attained in this real world, no matter how much teaching is done at university…

…etc

The discussion could potentially go on for longer, but it tends to become circular.

I would ask you to be as candid as possible when commenting on the above sketch. Absolutely any thoughts/anecdotes about your own experience at university would be appreciated. If you think the university experience is perfect given the understandable limitations then say so. If you would like to focus on one particular area e.g. teachers vs. practitioners, this is great as well. Please give your name, your occupation, and any other information you think applicable.

Graphic Design Education

Call for Comment