Fourteenth International Conference on Design Principles & Practices

Abstract

Universal Storytelling is an ongoing project that was collaboratively developed by colleagues, Associate Prof. Robert Gilbert and Lecturer Corinne Whittemore at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV). Based off the adopted book, Design is Storytelling, by Ellen Lupton, it has been taught to beginning level graphic design students at UTRGV for the past two semesters. AIGA Design Futures identifies several areas for continuing education that will sustain viable practices. One of those is Complex Problems… “Linear approaches that address one component or factor at a time are inadequate in addressing dynamic conditions.” We took this literally in the sense that we can no longer step students through solving one design problem at a time. In our pedagogy, we believe that we must allow students to confront multiple problems within any given project, especially at the beginning levels of education. As problems get more complex and our intent is to successfully communicate on a global level, design educators need to expand their processes of evaluation and teach students to be interdisciplinary, collaborative, and culturally sensitive in seeking solutions. By teaching from the position of Lupton’s book, Design is Storytelling, and presenting the complex problem of telling a personal story that communicates on a universal level, we hope to expand processes of evaluation to go beyond aesthetic and form and encourage young designers to resist working from the position of the lone designer. We hope to develop creatives who draw from inner, personal resources to conceptualize and design effective communication.