Call for Comment
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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.
posted by Shaun at 12:19 pm
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9 Comments:
Hi Shaun. Sorry for not applying to your first e-mail. I have had trouble with the internet. I found the conversation thought-prevoking and it was well written. B gave a very convincing argument.
As this is my third course, I have understood and appreciated the system. On my last course, as on this, my tutor was only in college two times a week and it took time for me to adjust to this. I wanted advice and direction much of the time. However, being forced to work independently gave me the confidence that I never had before. It proved to me that I can be independant and make my own decisions. I believe this is one of the most important parts of the education process.
Best of luck. Alex
Howdy Shaun,
in responce to your sketch of A and B.
I would say (concidering I have only been at Uni for about 3 months now) that although self structured learning and the idea that one must be proactive is indeed important (As 'B' said) especially for yourself seeing as you are athird year and about to face the outside world. I would from a first and second year point of view say that instruction is more important especially in fields of graphics/illustration as there are right and wrong ways of doing things, there are methods that work and there are approaches that work, for example, If I wanted to go into childrens book illustration, I would need to know about colour and how to create a visually grabbing image, if I was doing something that would have to be built for the film industry say colour would be less important, scale/proprtions and physics would be the driving force..
in conclusion university is for learning. There is only so much one can achieve by oneself and therefore a more 'teaching' aproach is needed especially at the start. at the end it is better to let you self teach as this is in itself teaching you to be prepared for life to come.
hope that helps.
Eli Bowes, level 1 Illustration.
Shaun,
Sorry it's taken so long to respond to this - I guess I've just been pondering over what to write!
You probably know my opinions better than anyone on graphic design education. Having read your conversation I agree with bits of both. Yes, Graphic Design encourages independent thinking and styles but still revolves around a structure, a working method that should be reflected in the teaching. Yes, we are taught by talented individuals but I get the feeling they are looking for a certain type of designer, not one who pursues their personal niche and will function in the real world "as a successful well-rounded individual".
I just feel I know so much yet I know so little at the same time. Unfortunately, most of what I know now is self-taught and has come about through questioning our education.
Part of the problem in my mind, is the disconnect between theory and practice, the fact that we are taught without focusing on the realities of the subject - like our role in culture, society, liberal arts, and Graphic Design as a business to mention but a few. As Jonathan would say, shouldn't we be looking at it more as a 'cultural artefact or as an industrial process' rather than on its 'aesthetic impacts'?
Sorry if I went off on a tangent there. Hope it helps..?
Ste x
GD Level 3
My opinion about an education system:
If somebody wants to write an English sentence, the person needs to know alphabets, words, and grammar. Once the person knew the basics, he/she can express his/her own intention. In the case of Graphic design, these may be the design history, the basic roles of typography, conceptualising methods, the printing process etc. I think an education system should support the process of learning at the early stage, even though these things could be learnt by self-study from readings, I personally wasn't sure where to start. I agree that developing independency and individuality is important. But individuality can be developed after the foundation is settled.
Chie Level 3 / GD
This argument is flawed in that it relies on the students' preconceptions of what the course in question is going to involve. When words like "learn", "tuition" and "intensive" are thrown around by course directors during talks at open days, people are bound to get an impression. whether it is the true, correct, intended impression of what the course is going to be like is often questionable, and subsequently students find themselves on courses not knowing why they barely see any sort of tutor figure nor why they rarely discuss their work.
Previous comments have directed towards a foundation being laid, giving rise to an enviromnet in which everyone learns through being self taught...but is this what is emphasised in the misleading ambiguous texts of the university course prospectus?
Hi
I graduated about 4 years ago and have been working in the design industry ever since then so I have had first hand experience about how the university education sets you up for work in 'the real world'. The basic truth is that it doesn't, it is common in design firms that graduates have to have their design heart broken. Very little of what you are taught at uni reflects life in the actual design firms.
With 'traditional' subjects like fine art this was never an issue because the real world was different for each graduate, and in the main they would be able to choose how they worked. Graphic Design courses have sprung out of these courses and the format hasn't been changed to allow for what the industry expects of their graduates.
Graphic Design should be a much more vocational course, I know that students need to be taught how to 'read' a brief and how to conceptualise ideas, but they also NEED to be taught about printing processes, presenting to clients, working practises, file types, correcting proofs, making mock-ups etc. There may well be courses that cover some of this, but I think the only way to really understand these is to have a kind of apprentiship, that can run in tandam with the more conceptual side, this would still be taught at uni - which is very important, you woun't get many opportunities to run wild with your ideas like you do at uni.
I am clearly rambling now, I have so many problems with the way Graphic Design (and other design disiplines) are taught, it seems that most course are run by people who have forgotten what working in the design industry is actually like. This might all sound like I am a bit bitter, I'm not - I love what I do, I love all parts of it, from the frustrating little jobs right through to the massive, strategic re branding jobs, but I do know that we could all have been better prepared for this.
Thanks, I needed to get that off my chest. Sorry if I went a little off topic!
Sam
Sorry to be lurking your blog. But, I found your blog and question interesting and feel compelled to comment. I feel graphic design as the profession we know it today is still in its infancy. I graduated with a 4 yr degree in the mid 80’s. The Mac had just exploded on the scene and then within 5 years, completely changed the industry. Learning doesn’t stop once you are out of the classroom. While a 4 year degree opens doors, your portfolio is what ultimately lands you a job. How do you get a portfolio? University classes? Trade school classes? Summer workshops? Technical college? Talent seems to come from many places. But, consistently the quality of that talent is better out of 4 year university program. There are exceptions. But, the problem still exists, that while you can present a portfolio that shows your creative talent, do you really understand the process behind creating a client solution and properly producing it? Most entry level design positions require production skills. The answer really lies in both scenarios. What worked for me: while in college I took a “paste-up” job at a local newspaper. It was real street experience and made me realize I did not want to do that when I graduated. I’m sure those jobs exist today on the desktop. The only skill you need is knowledge of the program. They don’t ask you to think. I learned how to think in school. I learned how to design in school. Applied thinking, problem solving and designing will get you the better, more creative design jobs. Learning the technical should all be in the background of a good design program. It should not be ignored. And learning on-the-job will forever be they way in the graphic design profession. Technology will evolve, but the fundamentals of design and creative thinking is pretty much the same. Taking design to a higher level of thinking through experimental solutions and creative, new methodologies are how new trends begin. A 4-year degree in a great program that showcases professor accomplishments, stresses design history and multi-disciplinary methods, typography, technology and THINKING will put any talented graphic designer with an awesome portfolio and some internships or “street experience” into any job he or she wants. Don't be blind to think college will spoon-feed you ALL you need to know. And most top design firms will not look at anyone without a 4 year degree.
What type of degree do you need to become a graphic designer?
What type of degree do you need to become a graphic designer?
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