Fourteenth International Conference on Design Principles & Practices

Abstract

What is design and can how design help improve society? In the field of graphic design, the designers use their power to solve visual problems in the most creative ways, but what is the overall outcome? How can graphic design improve the way we live our everyday lives? In the era of massive consumption and environmental and visual pollution, and information chaos, what is the urgent role of universities and educators? Can design education help? This paper is about an ongoing project that is been applied in the course “Design Research” in the Proficiency in Arts (Doctorate) Graphic Design program in Institute of Fine Arts Anadolu University. Anadolu University has years of experience in the Open Education systems which have been growing widely since 1982, delivering higher education in Turkey and in 19 countries, currently holding 58 degree programs and many non-degree programs. In the project, the aim is to clearly and very basically communicate what design is, through the well established channels of Open Education programs. The target audience for this education is the non-designer. The aim of the project is to elevate the knowledge of the public about what design is and what is does, starting with the clients that require design, small and medium sized enterprises and government institutions. Instead of education of more professional designers, the education of the non-designer about design and graphic design culture will provide new ways of thinking and enhance society and environment.