DESIGN + EDUCATION

cultural expression

Exploring how designing in their own language empowers students and supports academic freedom in communication design

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Design Education Strategy

Language plays a crucial role in a person's daily life, from communicating with friends, family, and peers to shaping how individuals think and critically engage with the world around them. As the world becomes increasingly interconnected, English has emerged as the dominant and widely accepted language for communication. This trend is also evident in student award competitions, such as the Loeries, where the vast majority of finalists and winning entries are in English, with very few submissions in native languages. This observation suggests that tertiary institutions offering design degrees may not actively encourage students to complete their projects in their mother tongues.

Our partners in promoting design education excellence

DEFSA conferences

DEFSA promotes relevant research with the focus on design + education through its biennial conferences, to promote professionalism, accountability and ethics in the education of young designers. Our next conference is a hybrid event. See above for details.

Critical skills endorsement

Professional Members in good standing can receive a certificate of membership, but DEFSA cannot provide confirmation or endorsement of skills whatsoever. DEFSA only confirm membership of DEFSA which is a NPO for Design Education in South Africa (https://www.defsa.org.za/imagine).