Equator Design’s Post

Week 2 of New Designers brought a second conversation with colleagues Rashmi Bidasaria and Chris Gregory, two of the very best. We talked about the early choices that young people are required to make in education and the barriers that exist to selecting design as a possible professional pathway. The recent Design Council and The Design & Technology Association publication “A Blueprint for Renewal Design and Technology Education” (https://lnkd.in/eETR3QHj) has some depressing statistics about the diminishing numbers of young people choosing design at GCSE and A-level BUT it also has a plan that I hope this next government will support - it’s definitely worth a read and reaching out to Cat Drew Minnie Moll and Tony Ryan MIET FRSA about their aim to upskill 1m designers by 2030 to meet challenges presented by our climate changing world. Why is this important to PriestmanGoode as a design consultancy? Because we want the next generation of designers to be well-equipped for the challenges we tackle every day and we want our workforce to be reflective of the users we design for and that means more diversity than the current system delivers. We need to be part of the solution, too, and for young people, a significant barrier to choosing design is socio-economic - if you’re not clear about the professional pathways that might be open to you after you’ve graduated, you might be more than hesitant in taking on the debt and that’s why our work with the National Saturday Club is so important to us, giving us the opportunity to meet young people between 14-16 whilst making those significant choices which impact on their future. We met Chris Gregory when he was 15 at the National Saturday Club and Rashmi Bidasaria when she was studying at the Royal College of Art in her first year so we know that there is huge value in developing a network for future employees at all ages. We know, too, that organisations such as Speakers In Schools are also doing work in this area. Where we can, we try to remove some of those barriers- paying for the travel costs of interviews for interns and new graduates, and paying our Year in Industry students the London Living Wage. Sometimes small things can make a difference. Thanks to New Designers for offering us the opportunity to talk to lots of students and thanks to everyone who came and listened to what we had to say. Many congratulations to our award winners Amy Gardner and Amelia Cook, and to our design intern from 2022/3, Sophia Kambouris, a worthy winner of the New Designer of the Year Award. #designersofthefuture #designingthefuture #newdesigners

💡Wednesday Wisdom, A Dive into : How Design Enhances Learning: Crafting Spaces for Clarity, Engagement, and Effectiveness with Riya Zain Nishad In today’s evolving educational landscape, the spaces where we learn must adapt to inspire and engage. As Designers We believe that Thoughtful design plays a crucial role in this transformation, creating environments that foster curiosity and deeper understanding. Design isn't just about aesthetics; it's about purpose. By creating learning spaces with intention, we make complex ideas clearer, easier to grasp, and more enjoyable to explore. For instance, considering: 🎨Clarity in Design: A well-designed environment eliminates distractions and allows students to focus. Thoughtfully arranged furniture, optimized lighting, and clear visual pathways help students stay centered and absorb information more efficiently. 👥Engagement: Vibrant colors, flexible seating arrangements, and interactive elements invite students to explore, ask questions, and collaborate with peers. These elements foster an environment that feels alive and dynamic—encouraging curiosity and active participation. 📈Effectiveness: When a space is designed to reflect the needs of diverse learners, it becomes a tool for better comprehension and retention. From soundproofing rooms to accommodate focused learning to integrating technology seamlessly into the space, thoughtful design enhances how students process and apply what they learn. 🌱Flexibility in Learning Environments: Adaptable spaces with movable furniture accommodate various teaching methods and group activities, promoting collaboration and interaction. 💬Community and Collaboration Spaces: Design spaces specifically for group work and discussions. Dedicated areas for teamwork encourage collaboration, allowing students to share ideas and learn from one another. We believe Design shapes behavior. By creating flexible, inspiring, and intuitive environments, we empower students to explore their full potential. When we think about educational spaces and how they were perceived and designed years ago, it’s clear that focusing on small elements and bringing fun into design through functionality can make a significant difference for budding minds today. Let’s rethink the spaces we create for education—because the design has the power to shape not just the room, but the minds that grow within it. How has design influenced your own learning journey? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below. Together with Kidzink & Koda - Kidzink Office of Design + Architecture  let’s explore the transformative power of design in education! #Educationalspaces #DesignGrowth

Some excellent Q&A from the students from MAServiceDesign LCC-UAL which helps us to map out what the future might look like for the next generation of designers. -"What can you do when the work you have to do goes against your personal values?" -"Who's really responsible to driving the fundamental changes that our society needs?" -"How do you make the business case for inclusive design, or even to widen the definition of stakeholders for Life Centred Design?" -"What do we need to change in our approach if we're going to work successfully with non-designer stakeholders?" -"How do I rejoin the job market in a way that reflects the additional value of my MA, rather than taking a pay cut for dropping out?". 😮 The questions showed a realistic view about the shifting position of design in corporate hierarchies, but also concerns that big companies may not be employers of choice as few are seen to walk the walk when it comes to turning their values into actions. The good news for this cohort, is that they're sharp, curious and adaptive. They'll find ways to draw on their design toolkits, seeking out and capitalising on opportunities, even if the job title, (or even JD) lacks the work "design". We also had some provocative pitches from design luminaries: Tom Smith, Ben Reason, Hortance Chang, Federico Vaz and a brave Improv session from the legend that is Alice Kennedy. Brevity, levity and profound points in equal measure. Thanks to Ashmita Radhakrishnan Sharvari Joshi and Dr. Hena for organising an event that started the week with a bucket of wicked questions and resolved some of them in a wine glass the Student's Union bar. (Base photo courtesy of Ben Reason).

Designing for clarity, engagement, and impact in learning spaces! How has design influenced your learning journey? Drop your views and thoughts below!

I’ve been thinking about why being out of work can hit designers harder than other fields. For many of us, the path to get here hasn’t been straightforward. We’ve gone through undergraduate programs our friends don’t understand, graduate programs our families can’t quite grasp, or bootcamps we joined to pivot into this career from ones we'd like to forget. We’ve spent countless hours proving the value of what we do because design isn’t always seen as linear or essential. We’ve navigated industries that haven’t traditionally embraced design as a real solution. Despite all the odds and perceptions stacked against us, we’ve shown that what we do matters. We've proven design adds value, not just to products, but to how companies operate and grow. It’s not an easy road, and when opportunities feel scarce, it can weigh even heavier. If you’re a designer feeling that weight right now, know you’re not alone. If you have an opportunity to help someone find their next step, now’s a great time to lend a hand.

I was looking up the trendy architectural term “placemaking” the other day, and it did not appear in my U.S. dictionary. One word or two? #placemaking or #place_making? Even my spellcheck didn’t know what to do. Afterward, I randomly picked up the book, “Architect, Verb,” at the library. And in it, a whole chapter on “placemaking”! The author, OMA architect Reinier de Graaf, complained about the same thing. It’s not in his U.K. dictionary either! But actually, it didn’t bother me that the term is not in a dictionary-- as much as it did Reinier. Dictionaries are history books of a sort. Reinier is being a stickler. Architects talk about placemaking all the time. What’s interesting is that the author traces the history of the term to a one Fred Kent a New York City urban adviser in the 1970s. He liked to study how people use a place before advising anyone about building anything. That sounds familiar! Placemaking was what our daughter was involved in while working at architectural firms. From what I understand, architects do not (or should not) just put up a building, but consider how it could become an attractive place to work or shop or live. How did Emma conduct her work? By talking with people about the designs for their spaces that her firm was building. The term here is #community_engagement. That included children. I love the photo of Emma interning at The Glass-House Community Led Design in London, having a chat with a small fellow who seemed pretty excited about the whole thing! Emma herself wrote that the internship was important in learning the vocabulary of architecture (see link below). New terms won’t be found in the dictionary, obviously. We should be trying to forge new ways to build better buildings and places. That might require new words. I’m not scolding Reinier. I’ll now have a deeper understanding of the architecture of today after his deep dive into its new vocabulary.

This talk @LCC UAL gave me some strong thoughts to take home apart from a better understanding of Service Design. After all, as mentioned in the talk - “Designers are round-edged”, where we need discussions to bounce off varied ideologies for new ideas.    1. The power of inclusion in organisations : The talk on the ‘Purple Pound’ made me ponder. As designers focussing on human-centric design, climate change has reminded us that we are not alone on this planet. Moving towards bio-centric design, it is important to question ourselves if we are truly human-centric yet. While diversifying and differentiating ourselves based on superficial characteristics, it is only meaningful if we are inclusive in a human-centric context before we achieve design for the planet. 2. Unlearning as a path to innovation : Being aware of one’s own biases itself gives immense potential to explore new avenues. Although trend forecasting is used in organisations to decide the steps ahead. I think following upcoming societal trends in design could take a level of unlearning, which is often overlooked while establishing new pathways within product or service domains. Maybe it is important to strike that balance between innovation and reality to at least build a bridge towards what cannot be fathomed today.    3. Career security driving education : There was an unheard sense of panic around career security in young minds was reflected in the Q&A. “Refined craft would always have a place in the real world unlike dabblers”, which made me realise how important it is during education to find our own values to align it better with the values of the organisations that we build or be part of in the future. It takes true motivation to channel the fears of finding employment into finding our talent in this realistic world. But, is that too difficult to achieve?

Traditional design education is facing a crisis. It's failing to equip the next generation of interior designers with the skills they need to thrive. Why? Because it's not evolving fast enough to meet the demands of the modern world. As the Founder & Creative Director of SCENE, I see this firsthand. The gap between what’s taught in the classroom and what’s needed in the real world is only getting wider. Here’s what needs to change: 1. Embrace Practical Learning → Classrooms alone aren't enough. ↳ Real-world experience is key to developing the skills that matter most. 2. Focus on Social Impact → Design isn’t just about looking good. ↳ It's about solving problems and making a positive difference in society. 3. Encourage Originality → Creativity should be celebrated, not confined. ↳ We need to give students the space to innovate, experiment and challenge the status quo. 4. Integrate Technology → Digital skills are a must-have. ↳ The future of design is tech-driven and students must be prepared. 5. Promote Inclusivity → Diversity in perspectives leads to better design. ↳ Education must reflect the diverse world we live in. At SCENE, we integrate social purpose into every project. We believe the future of design lies in blending creativity, technology and a commitment to positive social impact. Design education needs to evolve to keep up with the changing world. If we don't adapt, we risk leaving the next generation of designers unprepared for the challenges they’ll face. What changes do you think need to happen in design education? Your insights could inspire the next step in reshaping the future of design. #designeducation #futureofdesign #interiordesign #creativeeducation #socialimpact #innovativedesign #designthinking #techindesign #inclusivedesign #designforchange #nextgenerationdesign #interiordesigners #evolvingeducation #socialpurpose #creativeinnovation #designrevolution #designscene #purposedrivendesign

Learn Architecture like never before from most engaging online courses at Eduwik.com Institutions: Fostering Creativity Read Full Article>https://ow.ly/Ckkh50Skx16 Creativity has become among the most crucial skills for success in this rapidly changing world today. As technology advances and industries evolve, thinking creatively for problem-solving is significantly gaining more significance. #urbanplanning #urbandesign #construction #landscapearchitecture #interior

Mastering International School Design – Essential Insights for Success 🏫🔑 Designing an international school is a complex and highly specialised process that requires expertise in various key areas—science labs, art rooms, cafeterias, sports fields, and more. At GSE, we’ve gathered the most valuable resources and articles to guide you through the essential elements of school design, ensuring your project is not only functional but also conducive to a great learning environment. Here are our most popular and comprehensive School Design Articles: 🧑🔬 Overlooked Considerations in School Design – Addressing often-neglected elements that can make or break your school’s functionality. 🎨 Creating a Welcoming Environment – How interior design can set the tone for a positive, engaging atmosphere. 🔬 Designing Science Labs – Our complete guide to designing a 21st-century science laboratory. 🎶 Designing the Ideal Music & Art Rooms – Best practices for creating spaces where creativity can thrive. 🏃♀️ School Cafeteria & Sports Fields – Practical guides on designing spaces that encourage wellness and collaboration. 🚸 Drop-Off & Pick-Up Areas – How to design safe and efficient traffic flow for your school community. 📏 Understanding Construction Costs and Area Requirements – A look into the financial and spatial considerations that shape your school’s design. These resources are here to make your international school design journey smoother and more effective. Whether you’re working with architects or managing the project yourself, these articles provide crucial insights that will help you build a school that supports both educational excellence and the well-being of students and staff. 👉 Read the full collection of articles here//bit.ly/4irRVAI #SchoolDesign #InternationalSchools #EducationalArchitecture #SchoolPlanning #LearningEnvironment #GSEResources #EdTech #SchoolLeadership