‘Regular assessments, review by regulators ensures design institutes maintain high standards'

Philip Thomas, Country Head – World Design Council (WDC), the global body for design professionals and individuals who are using design thinking to solve the world’s problems. The Council bring the international design community together for knowledge-sharing and collaboration, creates opportunities for learning and professional development, promotes design-led solutions thinking and work with governments to influence policy to improve access to design education. and bolster the future of the creative economy. Thomas speaking with Shiksha.com talks about emerging areas in design education and World Design Council for Education (WDC-E), which is dedicated to promoting design education across the globe. WDC-E sets the standards and offers accreditation to academic institutions with quality design training.

Q. Kindly tell us about various career avenues in the design field and what are the emerging areas.

A. The design field offers a diverse range of career avenues, including graphic design, product design, industrial design, fashion design, interior design, and architecture. In recent years, emerging areas of design include user experience (UX) design, user interface (UI) design, service design, data visualisation, sustainable design, and virtual/augmented reality design. UX/UI designers are in high demand, given the growing importance of digital technology in various sectors.

Service design, which focuses on designing experiences rather than products, is gaining popularity as companies seek to differentiate themselves through customer experience. Data visualisation is also becoming increasingly important as companies seek to make sense of complex data and communicate insights effectively. Sustainable design is also gaining importance as companies and consumers become more aware of environmental issues. The emerging areas in design offer exciting opportunities for designers to shape the future.

Q. How does WDC work with design institutions in India?

A. WDC works closely with academic institutions in India to bridge the gap between academia and industry. Provides insights into industry trends and requirements, ensuring that academic institutions are up-to-date with the latest developments in the industry. WDC collaborates with design institutions to develop curriculum and training programs that are relevant to industry needs. Design Clubs of WDC in academic institutions offer skill development programmes and provide them with hands-on experience and exposure to the industry. WDC Clubs and Future Curriculum initiatives help to ensure that students are equipped with the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in the industry and that the industry has access to a pool of talented and skilled designers.

Q. WDC is working with the Karnataka govt to inculcate design thinking in school-going children, kindly tell us how this will help children.

A. Inculcating design thinking in school-going children can help them develop critical thinking, problem-solving, and creative skills. It encourages them to explore, experiment, and learn from failures, which fosters a growth mindset. Design thinking involves empathy, where children learn to understand and appreciate different perspectives, leading to greater understanding and tolerance. It also promotes collaboration, where children learn to work in teams, communicate their ideas effectively, and build on each other's strengths. Overall, design thinking helps children develop a mindset and skills that prepare them to succeed in a rapidly changing world, where innovation and creativity are highly valued. WDC is in discussion with various state governments including the Government of Karnataka to integrate design thinking & design skills into the academic curriculum and initiate design clubs in academic institutions.

Q. How WDC-E ensures the quality of education is maintained in courses being offered by design institutes?

A. Accreditation and affiliation of WDC provide credibility and accountability. Accreditation ensures the quality of education offered by design institutes by evaluating and accrediting them based on a set of rigorous standards. These standards cover various aspects of design education, including curriculum, faculty, facilities, student support, and outcomes. The accreditation team conducts site visits and reviews documentation to assess whether the institute meets the required standards and offers high-quality education. WDC’s strong industry linkages and partnerships enable students to gain hands-on experience and exposure to the latest trends and technologies.

Continuous feedback and evaluation mechanisms ensure that the curriculum is updated and relevant. Finally, regular assessments and reviews by regulatory bodies help to ensure that design institutes maintain high standards of education and meet the expectations of students and the industry. Accreditation by WDC signifies that the institute has met or exceeded the quality benchmarks set by the organization, and students can be assured of receiving a valuable and relevant education in design.

Q. How do you look at the growth of the design sector in India in the post-pandemic era? How has COVID impacted the sector?

A. The design sector in India has shown remarkable resilience and growth in the post-pandemic era. COVID-19 has accelerated the adoption of digital technologies and created new opportunities for designers in areas such as virtual events, digital commerce, and remote collaboration. The pandemic has also highlighted the importance of sustainable design and the need for solutions that address social and environmental challenges.

The demand for skilled designers has increased in sectors such as healthcare, education, and e-commerce. Additionally, the government's focus on initiatives such as Make in India and Digital India has created new opportunities for designers in areas such as product design and UX/UI design. Overall, the design sector in India has adapted well to the challenges posed by COVID-19 and is poised for continued growth in the future.

Q. What are the key areas you will be focusing on improving design education in India?

A. To improve design education in India, it is important to focus on several key areas. First, there needs to be a greater emphasis on practical training and real-world experience, including internships and collaborations with industry partners. Second, there needs to be a stronger emphasis on research and innovation, encouraging students to develop new ideas and products. Third, the curriculum should be updated to include emerging design fields, such as user experience design, data visualisation, sustainable design etc.

Fourth, there should be greater collaboration between design schools and other disciplines, such as engineering and business, to promote interdisciplinary learning. Finally, there should be a greater investment in design education at all levels, including primary and secondary education, to develop a pipeline of talented designers for the future. WDC initiatives like Design Clubs, Accreditation programs, Future Curriculum etc will definitely accelerate the design capacity-building initiative of the country.

Read More:

• UGC issues Public Notice against Two Kerala Universities Offering medicine courses; Check Details
• NCERT to work with ETS to strengthen school assessment system PARAKH