Is the reference value of foreign student works high? Many art students abroad will find the works of overseas applicants in issuu, Pinterest, strengthen and other platforms to find inspiration when they hear that there is a gap between domestic education and foreign education. So, this makes me want to talk to you: Is the collection of works by foreign students of high value for reference? Today, taking the architecture major as an example, we will talk about this topic with you in combination with specific college UCL Bartlett and application requirements.

If there is a gap in professional understanding, there will be deviation in design thinking

Before starting this topic, let's talk about it

Domestic and foreign art students/colleges, designers

How to understand the subject of design

And the most important design thinking in design

Is the reference value of foreign student works high?

Generally speaking, the study of art design major in China is Results oriented, focusing on the cultivation of skills and solid basic skills. I think most students have feelings about this, whether it is the most representative art examination and school examination, or professional learning during school. At present, although there are also institutions with overseas teaching models such as Yangmei and Tsinghua in China, most of them are still theoretical.

For example, the "three courts and five eyes", "three quarters of the sides", "the weakening of the dark structure", "standing seven, sitting five plates and three halves" and so on, which are constantly mentioned during our art examination, are all "skills" and "key points of investigation" during the art examination.

Three courts and five eyes example, Tuyuan Google

Another example is our daily classes, All courses and subjects are relatively independent Aesthetic principles, design psychology and folklore are theoretical courses, while the three major components, basic painting and professional courses are practical courses. Taking architecture as an example, each specific professional course is also independent. For example, when we do homework, the software course is to submit renderings; The final operation of building materials is mainly based on materials; The history of architecture is also a theory that needs to be recited

In general, although the relationship between courses seems to be progressive, it is also based on majors and under a systematic framework. But under the domestic teaching system, Few schools or teachers will tell students how these courses form a professional framework and how they are linked Most students will not independently complete a graduation assignment containing all the above courses until the graduation design. It was not until graduation that professional systems were linked together for the first time.

Then, in such a teaching environment, the trained designers often have two outstanding problems:

　　 a. The design starting point and thinking are rigid and lack of "imagination";

　　 b. The effect of the drawing looks like something, but in fact it is empty and tasteless, lacking evidence and landing lines;

The above problems and current situation all reflect a problem, which is also a common problem for domestic students—— Don't know "the meaning of design existence" For example, if I ask you, how do you define design? I believe that many students will come up with that answer—— Design is used to solve problems 。

Collected works of natural light student Luo, 6 offers including UCL

But, How does design solve problems? Why can design solve problems? I think there will be fewer students who continue to study these issues. Therefore, the first thing we should make clear is that—— Design is a methodology 。

In life, we find and solve problems every moment. For example, in the face of the epidemic recently, do you still choose to travel, or do you choose to isolate yourself at home? In the face of daily meals, do you choose to order takeout or learn to cook by yourself? These are actually in the process of "finding and solving problems". When we ask questions and different "choices" appear before us, the problem arises.

Works collection of an overseas student, applying for UCL Bartlett, image source ISSUU

Whether you realize that we are "solving problems" is actually because our brain has some kind of thinking in the subconscious to help us process the fact itself and give a specific or general answer and direction. This kind of thinking is called "Design thinking" 。

Excellent design thinking is a way to discover the ideas and desires that human beings need to meet, and finally help human beings realize their ideas and desires after analysis and processing. This method can be called "design".

We can combine specific examples, such as Apple's FACE ID, which surprised the world when it was launched, and attracted the attention of various brands in a short time. The facial recognition module and the home screen buttons are combined into one, so we can easily unlock the phone without using fingerprints and passwords.

In addition, Apple will also open its fingerprint identification function to third-party applications (which can be simply understood as APP, password payment, etc.). At this point, Face ID brings a more convenient sense of use to iPhone users. Mobile payment is more secure and convenient, and has upgraded the security level to the biosecurity level. Alipay, WeChat, Apple Pay, etc. all support this technology.

Secondly, it is also interesting that before the face recognition of iPhone, people did not realize that the traditional password and fingerprint unlocking and payment methods were not so convenient, but this was discovered by Apple designers. Therefore, from the perspective of design methodology, Designers should be the best at "finding and solving problems" among all people.

Taking UCL Bartlett as an example, how can overseas colleges help students build design thinking?

Knowing what design thinking is and the overall disadvantages of domestic students, we need to see how to make up for our own deviation with overseas education ideas. Take UCL Bartlett Architecture as an example. You may find that the major of Architectural Space Department is directly different from other subjects. One obvious feature is that compared with the integration of other subjects, the major of Architectural Space Department is relatively more independent.

Secondly, from the perspective of curriculum, the major of architectural space does not have new courses every year. Most of the time, the major of architectural disciplines focuses on several core courses, and students continue to deepen the process of learning.

We can take a look at UCL Bartlett's undergraduate courses. 70% of the courses are taught and evaluated based on students' design works. In other words, compared with domestic students who memorize theoretical knowledge first and then do homework, overseas teaching methods focus more on learning relevant theories based on a certain project step by step. That is, as mentioned in the above professional description -“ ……Understanding how to use those skills imaginatively in different contexts. ”Students will learn that, How to use professional architectural skills more imaginatively in different contexts.

In terms of the specific course form, we will see that every year there is a course named“ Design Projects ”Our courses account for a very high proportion of credits, which is several times that of other professional courses, which shows its importance.

Compared with the design projects of each year, although there is some emphasis, in general, it is a very complete and professional construction project, including the process of project opening, design scheme building, and finally landing and achievement presentation.

However, considering the domestic art education mode, in the first two years (or even the third year) of the undergraduate stage, students rarely have the opportunity to complete a complete professional project that applies all the professional knowledge at the current stage, let alone complete it in the form of team cooperation.

This proves once again that although the domestic art teaching has gradually deepened its difficulty, in the early stage of basic construction, there is a relative gap between the various subjects, and there is no basic connection and framework awareness between courses, knowledge points and knowledge points. As a result, Many domestic students do not know how to explain their majors or what career directions they can choose in the future until graduation.

Here, we also need to talk about the specific curriculum form. Not only UCL Bartlett, but most art schools are divided into Studio，Lecture，Projects Etc.

We can call Studio, which we hear most often, "big design class". In the UK, there are usually two days a week from 10am to 6pm. During this period, students can make an appointment with their tutor for one-on-one professional coaching. After the tutor gives you advice, you can continue to deepen the plan.

This kind of course can be seen as a concentrated reflection of various design ideas, and also a unique feature of overseas art. In the one-on-one conversation with the teacher, we can not only understand the whole design process, design thinking, but also common design methods. We can have a very profound experience and understanding.

Collected works of natural light student Luo, 6 offers including UCL

Take a project that I took with a student after he went to England. Under the guidance of his tutor, he polished a small pavilion of 300 square meters, which took six months. In these six months, it took 4-5 weeks to polish the design concept, accounting for 1/6 of the total project duration.

During this period, the students did things such as site analysis, brainstorming, making manual models, etc., looking for a persuasive design inspiration, and then translating these concepts into architectural language. Because architectural education should teach you to tell a complete, convincing and well thought out story with "architectural language". recommend: 2021 British University Application Time

The advantage of Studio is that, Students with different cultural backgrounds can have the opportunity to , discuss and cooperate with each other, which is The most common cooperation mode in future employment is simulated. Students can feel and adapt to this creative way in advance. Secondly, most students in Studio do not need to worry about being homogenized by other students, because even in Studio, Everyone has the opportunity to complete their own independent projects . However, it is more convenient to get suggestions from others in the critical and presentation links.

Finally, in terms of application requirements, except for domestic students, all overseas students are collectively referred to as "international students", and the application requirements are also completely consistent. In this regard, domestic students do have advantages, but the advantages are only limited to language and other standardized materials. Just like our application for domestic institutions and overseas students for Chinese institutions, the materials to be submitted and relevant application certificates are completely different. So it does not have absolute contrast. In terms of collection of works, most universities treat domestic students and international students equally.

It is better to obtain real design thinking than to blindly learn from style

Finally, let's return to the topic at the beginning of today. Is there a "round moon abroad" in the collection of overseas art works?

I think, rather than saying that foreign collections of works are more instructive, The design thinking of overseas students and the design learning methods advocated by overseas art schools are more meaningful for learning.

We all know that "it is better to teach fish than to teach fish". In fact, the same is true of works collection. It is better to start from the design learning philosophy of colleges and universities to really obtain design thinking that can help us for a long time than to simply imitate the drawing and collection style of overseas students.

Next, I can partially show the works of two foreign students applying for UCL Bartlett——

Space is limited. I only put two of them here. But I think we can also see that they are very excellent, and each project has its own characteristics, without saying who is better.

This is also because the natural light has always adhered to the real concept of overseas art education to teach and inspire students. It is not based on the current art "foundation" of students in China to further shape. It is not a crude and direct imitation of overseas courses or creative ideas.

Taking Yu Bochen's teaching and research center as an example, the purpose of building a teaching and research center is to provide better and more targeted teaching and services to each student. When we study the curriculum of overseas institutions, we need to see the purpose of the curriculum through the curriculum itself, understand the links, and know what kind of curriculum is more suitable for Chinese students.

By comparing the latest teaching concepts, student works, and the situation of each class of students in art colleges at home and abroad, we can first let teachers know how to teach and why to teach in the follow-up teaching. After that, teachers' learning experience and income in overseas art colleges will be combined to bring strong professional support to students.

First of all, we need to understand the students' demands, then understand their situation, background and ability, and let them know where and why they need to supplement, and then provide targeted teaching measures for students. Only in this way can we really help students to make up for the lack of weaknesses fundamentally.

After reading the above content, do you have a new understanding of design and design thinking? Design is a very interesting subject, but at the same time, it is also a scientific and rigorous subject.

Taking today's architecture specialty as an example, although the scope of architecture is quite broad, such as the renovation of old furniture, old quadrangles, 3D printing technology, etc., it will be covered by architecture. The scale of architecture is more interesting, covering furniture design, interior design and architectural design.

I also believe that as long as students master this design thinking, their future study and life will benefit a lot. In our daily work collection creation, we do not need to force the best reference materials from overseas students' work collections. Instead of seeing their works, it is better to learn and understand the design ideas and creative ideas behind each project, so as to obtain more professional promotion!

Relevant cases:

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UCL architecture major applied for studying abroad, and the collection of works won 6 British universities at one fell swoop

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