Responsible Designer

Uploaded by:	niceghia
Country:	United Kingdom
Website:	http://www.considerwhat.wordpress.com

Responsible Designer is an educational tool
that aims to help graphic design students
imbed a more responsible approach to their problem solving.


Responsible Designer was developed as part of my MA and places the issues of responsibility as a fundamental part of process, decision-making and creative practice for graphic design students.

The system has two elements, which blend technologies & learning; a studio based document and a smartphone & tablet app (under development). The studio document uses the familiar format within design studios of an A3 layout pad. After an initial group discussion students complete the document, considering the issues & words that are relevant for any brief they are working on.

This is then retained with other development work and used as a touch point throughout the brief. Students can then download the app to support, inform and inspire their creative choices and processes. The document is handed in at assessment so tutors can measure how a student has applied the issues to their final outcomes. The process is repeated for every brief, thereby embedding responsible design into the curriculum.

Responsible Designer explores how responsibility & sustainability will play a central role in future of creative design. Its aims are to equip students with ‘future proof’ skills & greater awareness of the issues that will be relevant for an evolving societal and business ethos. The system offers students the ability to consider the themes of cultural sustainability, economic sustainability, social responsibility and environmental responsibility within the context of design and apply that in a practical way to a design brief.

As well as a thorough exploration of these themes, a focus is given to specific issues such as materiality and the commercial value of a responsible design approach.

This system of artefact and process is an introduction for students to advance their enquiry, inform their problem solving, improve their understanding and terminology.