Editorial. Design Education for the future in Norway

Abstract

In addition to focusing on design research, design education from kindergarten to PhD is a primary focus of FORMakademisk. We consider the education of users, purchasers and decision makers in terms of design as equally important as the education of professional designers. It does not help that good design  is made if it is not purchased and used. What most people learn in primary education is important, and here is curricula a foundation.

The Department of Art, Design and Drama at Oslo and Akershus University College of Applied Sciences, in partnership with the interest organisation Art and Design in Education, planned this spring a debate on the future for the subject Art and Crafts in primary education. The main keynote speaker was Sven Ludvigsen, a professor of education at the University of Oslo and a chair of the committee that has studied basic education subjects against competency requirements for society and working life in the future. Additional keynote speakers were Eivind Moe, on behalf of the organisation Art and Design in Education, and Liv Merete Nielsen, on behalf of the undergraduate and graduate education for teacher education in Art and Design at the Department of Art, Design and Drama at Oslo and Akershus University College of Applied Sciences.

We are keenly looking forward to the new curricula to be developed for basic education in the future. When it comes to Art and Crafts, it must involve a plan that paves the way for broad tasks that lead to “depth in learning”, and expertise on sustainability must be developed by working creatively with tools and materials in workshops at school. Expertise in design must be included in general education when it comes to preparing students to become users, future decision makers and buyers of design, while providing the basic skills for those who will choose a design-related profession in the future.

Issue cover photo: Design by David Salafia