Preparing the next generation of design talent
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When I was in school, my favorite subjects were math and art. In university, I majored in product design because the field focused on taking something and improving upon it. This is something that I realized I do naturally; if something isn’t fulfilling its purpose, I edit or fix it. After college, I worked in product design for several years, but I then decided that my real calling was teaching design and technology (D&T).
At Yew Chung International School of Shanghai, we start by teaching D&T in Year 7. Initially, we focus on health and safety. By the time students finish Year 9, they know how to use a variety of tools and equipment, and can work with wood, metal and plastic, as well as programs such as Photoshop and Adobe Illustrator. As students get older, they work more with advanced equipment and they are assigned briefs that require them to use creativity and problem-solving skills to build and fix things.
There are many reasons to study D&T in high school. For one, in today’s world, it’s easy to call someone to fix everything. However, I want my students to become independent and be able to solve problems for themselves. Beyond basic skills, I hope that my older students interested in careers in design will truly be able to innovate and improve future products. I also encourage my students to think about designing for China. Many of today’s top designers are from the UK and US, but the manufacturing is done in China. Our students attend fantastic universities around the world, and China could benefit from YCIS alumni who have an international perspective, design knowledge, and strong language skills.
I am very excited that student participation in our design classes has increased each year, especially among female students. More of our female students are studying Resistant Materials now, which was historically more male dominated. Vice versa, more male students are taking our graphics courses, which were previously attended by more females. A dynamic mix of boys and girls is important in classes, and our students bring their own perspectives and skillsets when they collaborate.
I really enjoy getting students started on a project and then seeing what direction they take and what they can achieve. We often give students just an idea, and they take it to new and amazing levels. My students’ enthusiasm for the subject has grown, and one of our students received the top score in China for IGCSE D&T last year. I can’t wait to see the amazing things our students create and design in our future!
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