Agreed...we cannot teach what we do not know, and we must be able to show
our experiences to students and give them the means to see the processes and
ask the questions...whatever aspect of design we talk about.....
I have experienced both the frustrations that Lubomir Popov expressed, and
what you say here, Michael. I think, like Kraus Krippendorff , that my own
experiences with students are similar to yours, albeit perhaps in a
different 'design' field.....
a practicing interior designer and professor who asks these and many similar
questions daily......who often feels wedged in between both theory and
practice, and who embraces both in the design studio( I do a lot of
'showing' to help my students to see possibilities, to question, to
challenge and be challenged.....)
Tiiu Poldma
----- Original Message -----
From: "Michael Hohl" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Thursday, June 19, 2003 11:09 AM
Subject: Re: Good Designer = Good Design Teacher?
> I think being a designer is having a very special way of viewing the
> world,
> seeing possibilities - not just certain skills.
> Its a although the way how you organise your day, design your kitchen
> and prepare a meal.
> Questioning the way things are being done.
> A way of living, organising and seeing, not something you may take of
> like a coat.
> I think every profession requires certain skills, and a real
> professional questions, improves
> and refines his style of working over time.
> Maybe it doesn't even matter what this profession may be, even if its
> carpentry.
> This "special way of viewing the world" is what i think makes the
> difference - and a designer.
>
> We have enough - more or less - well designed Toasters and Things now,
> and design is about processes.
> Once you have taught students one skill well, they will apply these
> experiences
> (1mm = 1 km, "When you think you are almost finished you actually have
> 50%")
> to their future projects, as each new project requires a fresh
> attitude, learning and failure.
>
> Just as Charles and Ray Eames did every time: creating their own tools,
> making films helping themselves to understand, learning mathematics,
> how film narrative works etc. reinventing the world with every project.
> Or Buckminster Fuller, whos attention went from things to society,
> education and politics.
> Or Max Bill ...
>
> I think, once you taught students ONE thing well e.g. Photography,
> Carpentry, Typography, Graphic Design
> they will apply this knowledge to future works - even if its the
> creation of a radio station format.
> Its all about realising to learn how to learn - because this is what
> its about in our rapidly moving society now.
> Realising that there is no perfect and only way of doing something -
> but many different, with all there advantages and downsides.
>
> For a good Professor i think, its essential to have continuous,
> practical experience outside
> the university as well. Contact to clients and the real world.
> And i think it also makes a difference if he or she is a model, living
> himself what he is teaching.
> Authenticity.
> First the Professor has to give something, without expecting something
> back - its not just being there, answering questions.
> Then, one starts getting something back from the students and some
> insights may develop.
>
> Michael Hohl
>
> ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
> Michael Hohl, Dipl.-Des., PhD Student
>
> Sheffield Hallam University
> School of Cultural Studies
> Psalter Lane Campus
> Sheffield, S11 8UZ
> United Kingdom
>
> email: [log in to unmask]
> ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
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