Shifting Focus: An Ecological and Socially Responsive Design Education Model

Abstract

This paper provides an overview of a new educational model for teaching design at a tertiary level that considers the ecological and social responsibilities of design. The teaching practices of two new courses are detailed and discussed. This includes a first year cross disciplinary design course, centred on teaching digital technology skills through the application of a socially aware, community based project - in this instance, homelessness. The second course, a food security project undertaken by second year product design students. In this instance, students engaged with the content from a granular to a meta-systemic level. The research presented in this paper forms part of a larger study that explores the value shift occurring in the design industry - specifically, product design. Through the provision of examples spanning homelessness to food security within the frame of understanding design futures theory and systems design, the broader dialogue regarding the state of the industry is also explored. Providing an outline for design education programs is an important first step in fostering the institutional change that is needed for future design education. The educational strategy presented in this paper has implications for design education and research. Understanding how to integrate this new approach will help to ensure designers are capable of meeting future global challenges.