Entering the creative industry as a new graduate can feel overwhelming, like being a fish out of water. Universities in the UK are now focusing on creating courses that reflect the real working environment of agencies and businesses. They promote collaboration, external briefs, criticism, and failure to prepare students for success in the creative industries.
Falmouth University, located on the south west coast, is dedicated to ensuring its students are well-prepared for the industry. They have established strong connections over the past 40 years to support their new module, ‚Design With‘. This year, a collaboration with Birmingham Design Festival kicked off the new learning format, led by industry professionals and university staff.
The ‚Design With‘ module involves different year groups working together with partner organizations and external briefs. Industry creatives give talks and workshops, leading to a final project and feedback session. The theme for this year is Play, and creatives like Morag Myerscough, Lex Fefegha, Marie Boulanger, and Jimmy Turrell were involved in the module.
The goal is to provide students with valuable industry contact and inspiration. By bringing industry professionals into the educational environment, students can interact with them in a safe space, breaking down barriers and empowering students.
Falmouth University is setting higher standards for design education with the new ‚Design With‘ module. Course leaders Andy Neal and Ashley Rudolph revalidated the course two years ago by connecting with industry professionals to adapt to the changing job market and evolving needs. Students must adopt a more critical approach, asking more questions, being adaptable, and embracing the idea of play and failure. About ten years prior to the revalidation, Falmouth University had a Graphic Design course with a module called Collaborative Practice, which Rudolph and Neal Ashley were heavily involved in. Neal mentions that this module allowed staff more freedom to integrate their own work, which was fulfilling for students.
For the newly validated course, the second-year module has been incorporated into each of the three years as ‚Design With‘. Rudolph explains how external industry briefs challenge students to think differently, akin to a ‚crazy uncle‘ scenario where suggestions from outside sources are more appealing.
Artists like Morag Myerscough and Jimmy Turrell emphasize the importance of exposing students to possibilities in the industry to make their future careers seem attainable. Fefegha shares how a speaker at his university changed his perspective on design fiction and hopes to inspire others in a similar way.
Neal stresses the importance of critical thinking and adaptability in the new module, where students collaborate across year groups on projects they didn’t choose. He highlights the sense of togetherness fostered through working, learning, and playing together.