Don
I have been called many things but ‘insecure’ is a first. I note that you studied psychology and from your prognosis must assume that you do not label yourself as a psychologist and are not licensed to practice. I have an O Level in psychology but would never consider calling myself a psychologist or dabbling in psychoanalysis. I spent six years at design school followed by commercial practice and am happy to call myself a designer (I still undertake some industrial design practice in my role as an academic ).
Labels, as you call them, are important. They enable us to make sense of the world, especially when one has little or no prior knowledge of who/what they are dealing with (did I mention I had an O level in psychology?). Within the visually creative design disciplines, where the integration of beauty with ingenuity is paramount, being a ‘designer’ still has real meaning and whether or not this title is/should be conferred through some form of accreditation is largely incidental (sorry Terry). I do not want to see the title devalued/broadened and whilst the battle of who can ‘design’ is now over (I surrender!), the war/revolution for who is a ‘designer’ has just begun.
Returning to your reference to my statement as being weird, I would argue that this is not the case as a similar sentiment was used in 1997 by another of the world’s great social commentators, Dr Evil (arch enemy of Austin Powers). When not referred to by his correct professional title, Dr Evil firmly rebutted with:
“I didn't spend six years in Evil Medical School to be called "mister," thank you very much”.
I still didn't spend six years at design school for a sociologist or historian to come along and call themselves a designer, thank you very much. And, as a final note, it is worth reinforcing that as the challenge of effectively externalising complex, beautiful and ingenious design solutions remains, I also espouse that if you can’t sketch, you’re not a designer.
I note that you do not call yourself a designer and thank you for that.
Doumo arigatou gozaimasu
Mark
Dr* Mark Evans
* title not awarded by the Evil Medical School
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From: PhD-Design - This list is for discussion of PhD studies and related research in Design [[log in to unmask]] on behalf of Don Norman [[log in to unmask]]
Sent: 23 August 2013 00:10
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Must a designer be trained as a designer?
> “…I didn't spend 6 years at design school for a sociologist or historian
> to come along and call themselves a designer.”
>
I can't resist.
What a weird statement, obviously from an insecure person.
I always thought education was for the person. It educates the person. How
well one person is educated -- and how well one person performs at their
job -- says nothing at all about how well another person is educated and
how well they do at their jobs.
I decide whether or not someone is a designer by the quality of their work.
The only reason I might care about their education is if I am hiring a
person for their first job, where I have nothing else to judge them by.
In the world of ideas and professions, some of the best people in any
discipline were not trained in that discipline. When
Design training is very narrow (actually, all disciplinary training is very
narrow). Having people with other training and other experiences engter
design adds to our breadth and depth. After all, if we design cities and
organizations, transportation systems and complex technologies, we need
sociologists and historians.
Let us judge people by their contributions, not by their credentials.
Don
(Am I a designer? I was trained in engineering and psychology. My goal in
life is to have fun and to make a difference. Who cares what label is
assigned to my activities. Certainly not me.)
--
Don Norman
[log in to unmask] www.jnd.org
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