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Educating Designers to Educate us.Vincent Woods of Benchmark Communications, organisers of Design North East finds out about the huge commitment to design in our schools, colleges and universities. Who are these designers we keep talking about and where are they coming
from? The demand, it seems comes from both ends; from potential employers and from the students themselves. "We in Britain are creative, but I would say that we have an even stronger design and innovation grounding in the North-East than in most other places", says Lynne Charlesworth-Kyle who is Head of Design & Technology at Heaton Manor School. "I think it's something to do with our history, but I think it is more to do with the strength of our higher education system. Many students who go into design have become very successful, not necessarily in the region but around the world, and that's an exciting prospect for many students now as they can see themselves in the same position in a few years time". Lynn Welsh, Head of Art at Coquet High School says, "It's a lot sexier than say maths or English, but more notably it is something that students can grasp, literally! We can show them well-designed products, talk about the clothes they wear, the cars they travel in, interiors of buildings and so on. It's very much a live subject constantly reshaping itself and open to debate. Our students study Dyson, Sinclair, and as well as Stephenson and Armstrong and can see and understand the impact they have made. Getting our students involved in design demonstrates to them that they can make a difference. That's a great thought to have." So what of higher education in design in the North East. One of the top Universities for Design in the UK, if not Europe, is our own University of Northumbria. Professor James More, Head of the School of Design believes that, "We are in a privileged position with the demand we get from students wanting a place on our various courses. We have to think and work very hard in delivering real employment opportunities for the graduates at the end of their time here. While we are extremely successful at this, it is an ongoing process. Its no good generating larger and larger graduate outputs if they have no where to go afterwards and end up doing something not related to design." So what can you do to help this process? "Our links with industry have become more important over the years and not just locally. Our students exhibit in London every year and many will be offered jobs almost immediately through this process." Are there many local job offers? A vast majority are from outside the area, and often they are international." Isn't that a poor reflection of the region? "Not necessarily. Firstly, I think it demonstrates a great capability to produce such 'in demand' talent, and secondly I see it as an export which builds our reputation, contacts and opportunities. When former students head design departments at Volvo and Applemac, I think that's great for the region. Their support, by their many visits to the region and regular contact illustrates this. On the other side of the equation we would like to see more stay and work here, but it's more important to the students to get the right job wherever that may be." The refreshing views from all those in education shows a clear focus of doing what's best for the students. These graduates, who in their many roles and contacts around the world will benefit the future of the region. This helps to keep the demand high from potential employers and generates the desire for our younger students in schools today to go into design in the first place.
Design is a Growth AreaA recent survey about design education in British Schools, Higher Education and Training Institutions showed that 58% thought it was an appropriate subject for students of all abilities; 56% considered it to be important for developing key skills; 46% thought it an important part of the curriculum. However not everyone thinks of design as a key skill, 6% thought it was irrelevant and 2% thought it useful for less academically able students. There is plenty of proof on just how relevant it is for everyone. Over 62,000 students specialise in design in higher education. More than 190 British Universities and colleges offer around 120 different subjects in art and design at degree and higher National Diploma level. Some 900 design courses now exist in higher education proving the demand is there.
Design Quote"Design is bringing together things in order to achieve something you want. Design is the opposite polarity from analysis. Analysis is what is, design is what can be". Dr Edward de Bono speaking at the Design Council's Design in Education Week.
EducationThe following Further Education Colleges and Universities offer design courses and degrees Design and technology is firmly fixed in the education curriculum and over 60 schools in the Tyne & Wear and Northumbria area alone offer it at A level. Nearly all Further Education Colleges and Universities offer courses or degrees in some aspect of design, from architecture to web site design; fashion to 3-D product design; interior to transport design; multi media to graphics design. Bishop Auckland College City of Sunderland College Hartlepool College of Art and Design Newcastle College Stockton & Billingham College of Further Education Teesside Tertiary College Tynemouth College University of Durham University of Newcastle University of Northumbria University of Sunderland University of Teesside
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