A Designer Education
Posted by Bobby Solomon • January 8, 2010 • Design
We’ve entered 2010 and there seems to be a renewed sense of optimism in people, especially with the creative people I know. Personally I know I’m trying to channel that feeling into something that not only enriches what I do, but helps other people as well.
A recent trend I’ve noticed over the past couple of years is a rise in contemporary artists creating covers and illustrations for classic books. The first person I can think of who did this was Shepard Fairey who worked for Penguin and more recently Sam Weber’s amazing interpretation of Lord of the Flies. Both of these were extremely beautiful and gripping, exactly what you need to get a young person to read them. But it got me thinking… What if we took this idea and applied it to textbooks?
When I was in high school I dreaded opening my textbooks. They were filled with ideas, which at the time, I didn’t think were interesting or important. Who cares about the Revolutionary War? I’ll never need to know about alkaline levels in metals. But what if these topics were presented in an entirely different matter all together? What if textbooks were designed and laid out like an issue of Monocle, with interesting graphics, beautiful photographs and written in a way that was interesting to young people?
Unfortunately I don’t even think textbooks are going to make it very far in the future. My boyfriend’s little brother already uses a netbook for his classes, which is where the future of textbooks lie. So that’s a place where designers should start to step in and take action. If future children will be learning on tablet computers then we should begin to create the appropriate interfaces to enhance their learning.
These are the kinds of things I believe that design can and should accomplish. I think the biggest roadblock though is getting it through the minds of government officials and big businesses that by creating well designed objects that the world will be a better place if they embrace these ideas. Change is what we make it.
Bobby
Dear everyone: Please stop color coding your layers in Photoshop. Grouping and renaming them is plenty.
I absolutely agree. When you look at all the amazing artists and designers around and their works, you should think that it’s possible to create appealing study books. Also, I have to confess that I do judge a book by its cover. So whenever there are more editions of a book, I usually pick the one with the coolest cover, even if it costs a little more. Penguin does quite a good job, however they could use some more modern covers and designs.
Comment by richiee — January 8, 2010 #
It’s a very valid point, but another useful thought would be getting schools funding to keep their text books up-to-date. I can only speak for schools I’ve attended, but text books used to average 10 years old – my friends and I used to joke about it! They’re SO expensive that I guess publishers keep costs down by keeping decorative costs to a minimum.
I always thought that up-to-date textbooks (the ones you had to buy with your own money) always looked better, and I was much more inspired to learn from them. Even now, when I buy reference material, content rarely sways me if I”m leafing through in a book shop. I may attention to basic typographical elements and style of any illustrations.
I personally think it’d be a shame if the textbook was superseded by the netbook. There’s so much room for creative expression before you even reach content in textbooks. All those diagrams!
Comment by Jasper — January 8, 2010 #
Good points, Jasper! I’ve had the same experience with school books being really old and outdated. Now that I’m at university I realize how expensive study books actually are! However, even books that deal with advertising and other promotional matters have boring diagrams and figures, boring colors and so on.
I also agree that it would be a shame if netbooks would replace real books. On the other hand, I also hate carrying kilos of paper around everyday. A well made e-Reader or “iSlate” could be a real alternative.
Comment by richiee — January 8, 2010 #
The proper solution is to invent a time machine, so we can be educated when textbooks like this were being used
http://grainedit.com/2008/02/25/charles-harper-illustrations-giant-golden-book-of-biology/
Comment by Alphonse — January 8, 2010 #
“…[T]hat by creating well designed objects that the world will be a better place…” is a bit overzealous. There are people for whom colorful textbooks will be a great study aid and there are those who will do just as well with e-readers. Let those who want them demand them, but don’t expect to convince everyone else that an aesthetic element is absolutely necessary or characteristic of a higher culture. For some, it’s just shallow.
Comment by Amanda — January 8, 2010 #
Your optimism is charming. However, enthusiasm for ideas and history is a necessary condition for learning. No design, however good, can teach without “ideas”. More important than the media we use to convey these ideas is our ability to instill our children with an enthusiasm for ideas, whether learned via book or netbook.
Comment by walker — January 8, 2010 #
@Jasper & Richiee – Why would it be bad if we had tablet computers instead of books? Imagine if your learning experience was akin to av video game. For example, Nintendo made Wii Fit, so now it’s “fun” to exercise and it doesn’t feel like a chore. Why couldn’t we apply those very same principles to a classroom situation and teaching kids to learn about math/science/history whatever?
@Alphonse – Charlie was such a genius. I have one of his prints hanging on my wall, he’s a huge inspiration.
@Amanda – I don’t think there’s anything shallow about making books that facilitate learning more. I’m not talking about gimmicks, about making books that are flashy looking. I’m talking about designing books that work better, that draw kids in and want to see what’s on the next page. What you’re saying is things are fine the way the way there, what I’m saying is that we can make things better.
@Walker – Pleased you’re charmed. I never said that “ideas” weren’t important, good content is of the utmost importance. But instilling this idea that they should learn isn’t good enough, especially with the youth society that’s currently forming. We need to make textbooks something that they can enjoy, something that entertains them.
Comment by Bobby — January 9, 2010 #
@ Walker. Bobby wasn’t contesting the importance of ideas. Ideas are foundational to any sort of learning – regardless of how it is shaped by media. What Bobby is trying to say is that educational mediums have a tremendous bearing on the accessibility of content. By digitizing curricula, making it more relatable to the modern learner, content is made more effective. I’m not suggesting that the use of a tablet (or computer) should eclipse other (more traditional) means of learning, but if offers a new interface that may be more accessible to others. Just a thought…
Comment by Matt — January 9, 2010 #
@Bobby it’s fairly personal rationale really. I find it irritating reading for extended periods on a screen. I think it’d be a huge paradigm shift to go to a video games for learning, and I just don’t think it’d happen.
That and the fact that I love physical media. I know digital has environmenta and financiall advantages, but on a one dimensional level I prefer books (and CDs and DVDs etc.)
Comment by Jasper — January 9, 2010 #
@Jasper – I think a lot of people stare at computer screens for long portions of the day, so I’d say you’re in the minority on that point. The fact of the matter is that media like books will start to be digitized, and because of that, designers need to play a crucial part in making sure they work effectively.
I believe in evolution over stagnation.
Comment by Bobby — January 9, 2010 #
Your post make me think… please read this Lowe’s cartoon and the text he posted here: http://blogs.trb.com/news/opinion/chanlowe/blog/2009/12/chan_lowe_hitech_gift_of_the_f.html
Comment by Maria — January 9, 2010 #
@ Jasper
I agree. If i try and read/watch something on my computer, I often get easily distracted and start opening new windows, which is why i like to read, watch a dvd, or listen to a lot of music away from the computer. With that said, I HATE being burdened by having physical objects around.
@Maria
Brilliant.
Comment by Alphonse — January 9, 2010 #
@Bobby, I use a computer all day, every day, but something about reading books on a computer screen plays with my eyes. No idea why because I spend at least 8 hours a day in a text editor! That and the point @Alphonse makes about the general distraction about being able to do so many things on a computer.
I’m trying to train myself out of my dislike of reading on screens, though, as, like you say, books will all go this way eventually.
Comment by Jasper — January 9, 2010 #