This section of our website is focused on design and seeks to provide a resource for teachers and educators working with and advocating for the position and value of design in art and design.
This section is under development
In our supporting texts for the National Curriculum we define design as 'Design shapes ideas to become practical solutions and propositions for customers and users. Design is all around us, everything hand or industrially made has been designed. The majority of designers work in teams, following a design brief and a process towards realising a commercially driven product, building, system or service.
Designers are people who are engaged in the production of functional products, services or systems.
A definition and description of design process and practice is complex and will include not only the products, processes and systems that design embraces but also design as concept and thought, and the relationship of designers, both as individuals and teams with a diverse group of clients.
Design Distinctiveness in Art & Design
Within our subject, art & design; art, craft and design can be taught both as individual disciplines and experiences and as blended learning activities.
Art and design projects, units or schemes of work will not always include design as an integral part. Design is positioned where and when appropriate as a creative tool or strategy.
in art and design, designing can lead to a functional or non-functional outcome. In art and design meaning and form may be equally, or more important than function.
In art and design pupils may engage in a creative activity that has an audience, a museum or gallery exhibition, intervention or installation as an end point. Through design pupils may also focus on client led activities.
Links and Resources
Design Week is an online design magazine
The Design Council is a charity and is recognised as a leading authority on the use of strategic design.They use design as a strategic tool to tackle major societal challenge, drive economic growth and innovation and improve the quality of the built environment. They address all areas of design to include product, service, user experience and design in the built environment. They are the UK governments adviser on design.
Design & Art Direction seeks to inspire a community of creative thinkers by celebrating and stimulating the best in design and advertising through the D&AD Professional Awards. As a membership organisation it offers a training programme and supports the next generation of creative talent to work towards a fairer and sustainable future.
The Design Museum is an independent charity devoted to raising understanding of today's designed world, which surrounds and affects everyone. Alongside temporary and permanent exhibitions it runs programmes for schools, colleges and universities, to include Design Ventura, which challenges students in years 9,10 and 11 to design a new product for the Design Museum Shop.