Comments on: Why Is design so hard to teach?

By: Oleg

Oleg — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 05:57:44 +0000

Really nice topic. Check this link please – http://www.artlebedev.com/mandership/

May be helpfull too

By: M. joshua cauller

M. joshua cauller — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 13:23:16 +0000

There are key aspects of design to know before you start running off of instinct.

Schools like Bauhaus seriously innovated what we now know as “design” by using these principles.

The Gestalt Principles of design:
http://graphicdesign.spokanefalls.edu/tutorials/process/gestaltprinciples/gestaltprinc.htm

Elements and Principles of design:
http://www.johnlovett.com/test.htm

By: Siena Esposito

Siena Esposito — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 20:45:23 +0000

Another thing: Check out this motion graphics piece created by Imaginary Forces that highlights interviews with designer Paul Rand. Mr. Rand breaks down the language of aesthetics (order, variety, contrast, symmetry, tension, balance, scale, space, shape, shade, light, color)and Imaginary Forces brings it to life with motion graphcis. I use this in my motion graphics classes in reference to layout skills.
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x3gs54_paul-rand-by-imaginary-forces_creation

By: Siena Esposito

Siena Esposito — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 20:33:54 +0000

I teach typography, motion graphics, and compositing at several design schools in Chicago (Nick was one of my students!) and I will say it is a huge challenge to get students to understand that design is more important than pushing buttons. It really is a developed aesthetic. I call it learning to see. Because students can do anything technically they don’t understand that it might their freedom does not always translate into effective communicate. For instance, many students don’t understand that stretching type is not effective because the typeface is created with specific proportions, much like a human face. Using a grid is also a skill that I find the students resisting until they start to see how the structure can actually help their creativity.
A book I highly recommend is Ellen Lupton’s Thinking With Type. I find her type crimes to be a terrific mantra!

By: Siena Esposito

Siena Esposito — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 20:33:11 +0000

I teach typography, motion graphics, and compositing at several design schools in Chicago (Nick was one of my students!) and I will say it is a huge challenge to get students to understand that design is more important than pushing buttons. It really is a developed aesthetic. I can it learning to see. Because students can do anything technically they don’t understand that it might their freedom does not always translate into effective communicate. For instance, many students don’t understand that stretching type is not effective because the typeface is created with specific proportions, much like a human face. Using a grid is also a skill that I find the students resisting until they start to see how the structure can actually help their creativity.
A book I highly recommend is Ellen Lupton’s Thinking With Type. I find her type crimes to be a terrific mantra!

By: Anil

Anil — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 04:09:14 +0000

thank you so much.

By: Anil

Anil — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 04:08:43 +0000

hi Nick,

I am new to this motion graphics field.I feel your website is very informative.Keep up the good work.You are inspiring many like me to get in to this field.

By: James

James — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 06:10:01 +0000

Design is definitely something that can be taught. It’s a system of rules, it’s about imposing order on things. Also (and just as importantly) it’s about how things work, too.

Having said that the tutorial format on the web isn’t always the best medium because as you say, it’s something that takes time. And as we know our attention spans online are getting shorter and shorter.

The awesome thing (IMO) about design though, is that it IS possible to teach yourself. There are so many awesome sites willing to recommend you great books, or exercises or host forums to talk and discuss design. it really is something you can do in your own time, and the important thing to know is that you’re always learning.

Lastly I find that “creativity” is a bit of a dirty word when it comes to design. Creativity alone will not get you very far in DESIGN. It’s the catalyst, but without any basis to work from you’re just flapping around making a lot of noise and not much sense.

By: zach

zach — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 20:47:04 +0000

I dont think this is not something that you can teach
its about taste, style, trial and error
etc and something called talent helps too

By: Matt Ciaglia

Matt Ciaglia — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 19:02:56 +0000

I recently recieved an email from a student asking for advice on a career in motion design. I answered her question and asked to see what she had done. She sent me a qt movie and said she was going try and get an internship. She goes to a non-art schoo and told me they only have one class in graphic design and after effects. After looking at the piece I was pretty shocked to see the difference in the design education you get at an art school vs a non art school university. I told he she would have a really hard time finding an internship with her work and she needed to an art school.

Design is hard to learn, it take time and I am still learning.