The Design Institute of Australia has released its own education policy in a bid to better align design education programs with industry and bolster the industry’s future.

The General Education Policy states that the Institute will provide advice to design education programs across the country, act as a “broker” between industry and design educators and institutions and provide recognition for design programs.

DIA president Joanne Cys said it’s important for the DIA to have an education policy to advocate for the quality and scope of design education in the country as the industry’s professional body.

“The value of the creative and engineering industries to the economy is particularly evident at this time and the value of design thinking in being a creative, innovative and entrepreneurial society cannot be underestimated,” she said.

Design programs need to include DIA representation on their external advisory and program review panels.

“This is to ensure that there is ongoing professional design industry representation on the panels that provide strategic advice to the design programs within education institutions,” Ms Cys said.

The policy addresses education at primary, secondary and tertiary studies to foster stronger design awareness in children and produce higher quality design practitioners long term.

“Unless significant time is spent during the kindergarten to eight grade year levels on designing, it may be difficult for students to develop the level of expertise to perform well design and technology or engineering studies in later years, for example year 12,” Ms Cys said.

“Obviously this then impacts on the decision to pursue design-related study at post-secondary levels.

“As design knowledge and skills become more and more specialised and the demands of industry increase, it is important that designers undertake higher qualifications and/or continuing professional development.”

To view the DIA policy click here.

Design Institute of Australia
dia.org.au