Teach design in schools

Besides the usual subjects such as English, second language and mathematics, students in Singapore may have to study Design Learning in the future.

The subject was suggested by the DesignSingapore Council's International Advisory Panel (IAP) during its annual meeting last week.

They made the recommendation at a press conference yesterday.

Design Learning is about getting the skills and creative experiences that can be used to improve productivity, competitiveness and quality of life, says IAP chairman Mr Edmund Cheng, who is also deputy chairman of Wing Tai Holdings.

He adds that companies and individuals 'need to be able to make use of design thinking to go beyond traditional approaches in order to gain that competitive edge'.

The IAP meets annually to provide global perspectives on design trends and advise the council on design promotion.

Its members include Mr Christopher Bangle, director of BMW Design Group, Mr Steve Hayden, vice- chairman of advertising firm Ogilvy & Mather Worldwide and Japanese architect Toyo Ito of Toyo Ito.

The IAP recommended that Design Learning be part of the core educational curricula, from pre- school through primary and secondary school as well as at tertiary level.

DesignSingapore Council director Milton Tan says this is a possibility and will collaborate on it with various government agencies such as the Ministry of Education.

'We hope to take Design Learning not just to students, but also to their parents and even to businesses,' he says.

IAP member Hayden says Design Learning is the key to raising the standard of design in Singapore as well as increasing the understanding of the importance of design, both of which will help companies be more competitive.

The panel also strongly recommended the creation of a design knowledge gallery, an online portal which will become the exchange platform for new thinking, ideas and concepts that would be accessible to everyone.

Dr Tan, the council director, is excited about the idea.

'Think of it as a super library of well curated knowledge,' he says. 'The gallery will be a prerequisite site for anyone who wants to do cutting-edge design.'