Topic awaiting preservation: is it possible to teach 'design flair'? (Page 1 of 1)

the advisory board for my new graphic design curriculum wants us to somehow create artists out of doodlers, to teach 'design flair & visualization' skills.

if the mission is at all possible, how would you accomplish it?

sun
//... in less than 40 weeks ... //

You'll probably have to create a set of excercises that teach them the basics.

There's very little you'll be able to teach though; IMHO this seems like more of something you gain from experience.

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As a former student [2 year Graphic design and 2 year Photography] I agree that it is learned and acquired not really taught. You can teach them how to design in various ways, various styles, and then help them refine their own styles. You cant teach them to be 'Good Designers'. And just because you have a degree from Cooper Union does NOT automatically make you a good designer also. Some of the best designers I've seen are the self-taught, with a bit of Art school history. Not the Graduate school degree holders. Sad but true. Its just like the saying: "Just because you have money, doesn't mean you have taste." Just because you have a degree, does not make you a good designer.

As for the Visualization part. Give them an abstract word such as FEAR, then have then design something that represents that. "Whatever you choose to use, it should convey FEAR to the viewer. " something like that. (At least thats the exercise I remember...) When you see the results, then its easier to critique and guide them to a better understanding of what they want to express, and how to express that idea better.

Maybe assignments that focus on one specific style to train their eye for each discipline. Dadaist, Great Leap Forward, Post-modernist (hate that phrase... it's so over-used.) Neo-Japanese-futurist (whatever that is.)

Have the students bring in examples of what they see as good design, and you'll see how much work you have to do.

I think the best you can do is show them what's out there already, have them duplicate those styles and hope that sometime down the road they can adapt these exsisting styles into something unique. Or if you're really lucky they'll do something totally different.

Certainly.

No, you cannot instill in them the flair itself.

But yes, you can demonstrate the things necessary to take a 'good' design and make it a 'great' design. There are plenty of examples out there of both.

You can expose them to innovative and groundbreaking designs that show what you mean by "design flair & visualization".

I don't know - there are plenty of people who take idiots' money every day, who are supposedly at the top of their profession (some even have TV shows), and none of whom were born with even the slightest hint of 'design flair' talent.

I think I've seen a lot of houses built and/or decorated by these people.

So, the answer (more-or-less in agreement with DL-44) is 'no, it can't be taught', but that matters about as much as the colour of your bog-roll.

And I've been about as constructive and helpful as a poke in the eye...

maybe 'flair' should be a prerequisite for the course.

if only it wasn't so subjective ...

sun
//hhmmmm//