I got my start in the world of “multi-media” and “interactive television” before the web exposed the need for Interaction and Experience Design to a wide audience. And before meaningful programs in designing interactivity existed. We learned things the old-fashioned way. We tried things out and made mistakes.
So I’ve been watching various programs in interaction design grow up in the past 10 years with a degree of skepticism. It’s not easy for me to believe that the painful lessons we oldsters learned can be taught in school. But in 2009 I have to admit, we’ve all come a long way, baby. Jon Kolko’s tenure at Savannah College of Art and Design has turned out young talent that have learned the tools and methods of the trade admirably. And after reading this piece in Core77 about a project for Freescale at SCAD by Dave Malouf’s latest crop of students, I’m doubly impressed.
There’s a lot of thoughtful work here, and nice integration of Industrial and Interaction Design. It’s also refreshing to see students modeling their work after design firms with attention paid to detail and professionalism that is key in the working world. No more collections of half-finished ideas that “seemed cool.” Design is as much about communicating ideas as it is having them, and that’s finally made it into the curriculum. So kudos to the latest crop of graduates. My only advice? Keep your enthusiasm and passion as you continue to learn through your mistakes.
-- Gretchen Anderson
