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Future And Value Of Graduate Design Education Master of Design 2031

Singh, Sapna
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1461202275

Abstract Details

2016, Master of Fine Arts, Ohio State University, Design.
“Design is a problem–solving process and the fundamental skills of the designer are the ability to look for meaningful problems, frame them into appropriate contexts, and design a process for developing and implementing a solution” (Irwin, 2015). This definition of design and the role of the designer are a significant departure from its original definition by the Bauhaus where the objective of all creative effort in the visual arts was to give form to space and where the source of creative imagination was in developing a proficiency in the craft (Gropius, Bayer, & Gropius, 1938). Design as a discipline has evolved and is expanding its impact from individual physical objects and spaces to experiences and organizations. There is increasing interest in design thinking and human-centered design methodologies. Organizations are discovering the value and potential of design. Although definition and the sphere of design influence have changed, design education has remained rooted in the craft skills. Design education has two trains of thought: the foundation and the progression. The foundation skills of observation and application have remained consistent through the history of design but the progression of design is in constant change (Foster,O.,2015 as cited by Currey, 2015). “If design is to live up to its promise it must create new, enduring curricula for design education that merge science and technology, art and business, and indeed, all the knowledge of the university” (Norman & Klemmer, 2014). What is that promise that design has to offer? How can design schools lay the foundation to deliver that promise? How can or should design education prepare future designers for this expanding sphere of design influence? This research attempts to addresses these questions by exploring the future and value of graduate design education. This multidisciplinary research and design thesis combined design research methodologies with business strategy concepts and tools for developing plausible future scenarios. The future scenarios were translated into future roles for designers. The roles formed the basis for developing a framework for exploration of graduate design programs and strategic planning for design schools and universities. Design research conducted for this research combined an information-based and inspiration-based approach (Sanders E. B.-N., 2005). Four stakeholders groups – students, faculty members, alumni and industry members - participated in the research. Stakeholders visualized the future of graduate design education in a participatory design exercise using a generative design make toolkit (Sanders & Stappers, 2012) in the inspiration-based approach. The information-based approach utilized survey and conversational interview to reflect on current experience and future aspirations. Common themes were observed in the findings from the two approaches. These themes along with influencing factors and trends formed the basis for developing future scenarios translated into four future roles for designers: traditional designer, constructive design researcher, hybrid co-designer and systems sense maker. A framework was developed to explore potential implications of these future roles on graduate design education. This framework is a starting point for a conversation about the future of graduate design education.
Elizabeth Sanders (Advisor)
David Staley (Committee Member)
Mary Anne Beecher (Committee Member)
327 p.
Design; Education
Future of graduate design education, futuring, design research and business strategy, design education, generative design research, participatory design

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Singh, S. (2016). Future And Value Of Graduate Design Education Master of Design 2031 [Master's thesis, Ohio State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1461202275

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Singh, Sapna. Future And Value Of Graduate Design Education Master of Design 2031 . 2016. Ohio State University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1461202275.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Singh, Sapna. "Future And Value Of Graduate Design Education Master of Design 2031 ." Master's thesis, Ohio State University, 2016. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1461202275

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

osu1461202275
350
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This open access ETD is published by The Ohio State University and OhioLINK.