Derek Chan

I think most people can agree that the most talked-about theme that emerged from the presentations at Interaction 10 was that of “meaning”. Meaning in the sense that we, as designers, should be looking for opportunities to create artifacts that have deep emotional connections with the people who use them. Put another way, designers should be helping people find meaning in the products and services they use.

I buy that. And I do think it’s tremendously important that we use our craft in a way that offers people meaning as an end result. But what I took away from the conference and the theme of “meaning” was a little different.

Thoughts of education and mentorship have been running through my head for just over a year now. Kim Goodwin’s keynote last year at Interaction 09, “Each One, Teach One“, inspired me to follow a path of education. By that time, I had already applied to graduate school at SVA, and listening to Kim challenge each designer in the room to take some time to be a mentor only helped to clear away any doubt about applying to grad school. At that point, I knew I was going down the right path.

It’s interesting to note that the title of Kim’s talk is actually an African proverb that originated in the US when slavery was still acceptable. Pulling from Wikipedia:

“The right to an education and the possibility of learning were unachievable goals for many people, but slaves, free blacks and white sympathizers understood its value. Some of these people, despite the possibility of physical punishment, and for people of color, the continued assault on their psychological well being, were brave enough to risk themselves in an effort to teach others. When a slave learned or was taught to read, it became their duty to teach someone else….hence, Each one, teach one.”

If Kim’s talk was the catalyst for my new pursuit, the multitude of inspirational talks at Interaction 10 and the central theme of “meaning” only offered to strengthen my resolve. Thus, “meaning”, as it meant to me, wasn’t just about designing meaningful products and services. Rather, that designers have an additional responsibility to educate; to maintain the integrity and quality of design education for the future designers who are still in school, or are yet to be born. There is a sense of duty, in fact, that we make a meaningful impact on others through education and mentorship.

To that end, I am currently involved in a new initiative with two of my classmates, Carmen Dukes and Katie Koch, to bring design education into the classroom for students in K-12. As a bonus, I’m incredibly honored that it was Kim Goodwin herself, through a video conference, that helped us kick-off the initiative by imparting on us her knowledge and experience in the field, as well as offering us her ideas and support. That, meant a whole lot to me.

We’re still in the beginning phases of the initiative, but you can track our progress on our blog: http://www.ixdeducation.wordpress.com.