Dear all,
I think this is great provocative topic that probably will tear hairs
of those who insist that the conventional be still acceptable. Since
Steve Job's passing on the 5th, there are many discussions on his life
and his work. I read Steve Jobs bio, though I have not completed
eveything as yet; I am now even more convinced that education doesn't
really breed the kind of creativity and the innovation qualities that
are needed to design objects of real desire.
It needs a keen sense of eye for issues around us in an original way
whereby education cannot teach. The rigid culture of ego has got to be
taken off. Looking around those top achievers, whom many do not come
from top colleges. In fact those who tend to graduate from top schools
tend to end up as teaching in schools, which makes you wonder why? It
doesn't only exist in design schools. It seems to be happening across
the board.
There are many other issues pertaining to why those who don't attend
the listed schools are able to invent products or services. I think
it boils down to a character set which I believe plays a huge part of
the innovative spirit; and a lot of that it comes from life
experiences --- usually the drastic type and the disadvantaged kinds
--- that forces one to start to ask serious and hard questions on why,
how and what to do to change their lives for the better. This forces
one to really observe what is around to make it happen.Edison didn't
know what a light bulb was when he invented one. People don't need to
be told how a bulb works; or a needle works or a computer works by
seeing a precedence. But I believe the desire to improve lives from
one that is hugely deprived of one makes the first cut. This is often
followed by a keen diligence to learn and to synergise through action
together with a sharp eye to see solutions. These are not part of
education though it can be act as an avenue to allow students to see
initial possibilities. Though I must agree that education is vital to
give skills, overdoing it at times, may restrict the minds to expand
in a free bound way. Teaching is a culture. At times, teaching can set
the minds into a particular culture set which in a way dulls the mind
if not done correctly. I have come to see how people could twist and
turn and pick what to learn in a 'free form' way. And it is precious
for original innovation.
Steve Jobs is a fine example. He had no design education. Neither did
he completed his own tertiary education. But he had the guts to change
the world that we live. And the way we use the computers, and even
live our lives. Thats more than a PhD, wouldn't it? And by that, it is
good signal to alter our minds to that effect.
Well I am late for slumber again. Always been for the last decade. 6
hours to wake up time and off to work!
Best,
Karen Fu
> On 7 Oct 2011, at 12:54, ALISON BARNES wrote:
>
> I guess to
> change design education in this way will take a generation or two, and for
> me, there is still a balance to be achieved with, as Don says, not losing
> the 'artistic' side of design in a drive to become engineers.
>
|