Designonderwijs

Designonderwijs is the teaching and learning of design as a deliberate problem-solving process. It spans multiple design disciplines, such as product design, graphic design, digital media, architecture, and fashion, and is frequently delivered through project-based, cross-disciplinary activities. In Dutch-speaking education, designonderwijs is used to develop design literacy alongside traditional subjects.

The aims of designonderwijs include fostering creativity and critical thinking, teaching collaborative work, improving communication skills, and building practical competencies in researching, prototyping, and evaluating design solutions. Students learn to interpret a brief, identify user needs, generate ideas, create representations, build prototypes, test with users, and iterate based on feedback.

Pedagogy in designonderwijs typically employs studio or workshop formats, with teachers acting as facilitators. The design process is taught explicitly, with emphasis on user-centered thinking, sustainability, and iterative refinement. Assessment is often portfolio-based, combining process documentation with final artifacts and presentations.

Settings and scope: In many countries, including Dutch-speaking regions, designonderwijs exists at primary, secondary, and higher education levels, sometimes integrated within technology, art, or civic education. It prepares students for a changing economy by developing adaptability and a sense of responsible innovation.

Challenges and relevance: Common challenges include ensuring teacher training, providing appropriate materials, and integrating design education with other subjects. When well implemented, it enhances problem solving, collaboration, and digital literacy, and supports sustainable and inclusive approaches to design.