Design Educators Seminar - 3 Years later











In 2013 I attended the Design Educators Indaba, which endeavoured to create a forum for educators within design to engage with each other and to increase their knowledge of creative education. The event followed the three-day Design Indaba conference in Cape Town. The seminar was hosted by Neville Brody - world-renowned designer, professor and Dean of the School of Communication at the Royal College of Art in London along with Lawrence Zeegen, (Dean of Design at London College of Communication, University of the Arts in London). The event focused on presentations and a round the table discussion which resulted in a strategy for 'Creative Education in Developing Communities'.

Back in 2013 I was working as a commercial designer for a studio in Cape Town but was also involved with a South African NGO who was helping young people from disadvantaged backgrounds to gain education, training and the skills required to find employment. The event was a great opportunity to gain a valuable insight and to meet others doing great work within design education.

There were many fantastic points and observations raised during this inspiring event which ended up running way over its two and half hour time slot. During the close of the seminar we identified six key areas of focus.

1. Recreate the village

2. Learner-focused

3. Communicate - inspire educate

4. Open / holistic learning

5. Redesign education

6. Embrace change

After the event, many of us exchanged contact details and over the two years to follow have kept in touch, continuing the discussion on improving Creative Education in Developing Communities. A huge thank you to Neville Brody, Lawrence Zeegan and of course Design Indaba for organising this very worthwhile event for which has created a valuable legacy.

Last year I was unable to attend the event, as I had just become a father. The 2015 Design Educators Indaba will feature a line up of top Dutch design-thinkers who have worked in areas ranging from water management to health and agriculture. I would really like to hear from any attendees of either the 2014 or 2015 event and weather the event was as rewarding as the original seminar.

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