Sustainable design

'Sustainable design is not a passing fad. It is now integral to the future of the industry, particularly among the emerging talents as this year’s graduate shows will certainly reveal. It is the more established players, particularly in branding, that need to get up to speed.'

-statement from Lynda Relph-Knight (Sustainable Design Supplement)

I comment on this as it was the key focus of this weeks, 'Design for Life'. As the series title also suggests, sustainability is now a fundamental of design. Perhaps we all need to consider this more in every aspect of the design process. It should be at the forefront of our minds during decision making.

PRO Design education change

I am currently sending off applications to teach next year, and so this came of massive interest to me, and should to us all in general really.

In a speech delivered at the Liberal Democrat Party conference fringe in Bournemouth yesterday, David Kester (Design council chief executive) called for design to be more closely linked within Stem (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) subjects. Earlier this year, Professor Sir Christopher Frayling, former rector of the Royal College of Art, called for design to be included as a Stem subject, saying:

‘The dots aren’t being joined up. Engineering and technology are rated, but design isn’t. The big issue now is making design a Stem subject.’

Kester called for a sustainability element to be embedded across education, and for the nature and value of creativity to become an integral part of all learning. He said, ‘Our educators have a responsibility to bring hard business and technological skills together with creative problem-solving capabilities.

I think it is evident that the importance and position of the subject is still being debated, and in our modern society where so many in creative design positions are very successful, I think it's almost unacceptable that this battle goes on. I am in complete agreement that design should be considered a stem subject. Design has clearly and consistently communicated it's benefit to professional industries. Not only this, but Design is a language, and one that must be nurtured and encouraged within young people. I believe passionately that the subject goes a long way to meeting intellectual, cultural, moral, spiritual and aesthetic needs. Even if the subject is not pursued, it still allows for a well balanced individual. Design is unique in that it sharpens perceptual skills, promotes independence and develops concepts and skills for practical use.