Design education is crucial in preparing students to be successful risk-takers who possess the skills to work independently and collaboratively across different fields, according to a panel of educators, alumni, and design professionals organized by the College of Architecture, Art, and Design (CAAD) at American University of Sharjah (AUS).
The panel was part of a symposium series that celebrated AUS’ 25th anniversary, which focused on exploring the future of design education through critical conversations with students, alumni, and the professional community. The series was organized by CAAD faculty members Kevin Mitchell, Professor of Architecture; Hala Al-Ani, Assistant Professor of Art and Design; and Dr. John Montague, Associate Professor of Architecture.
The second symposium, CAAD at 25: Preparing for the Future, was held at Art Jameel on March 18 and featured two-panel sessions. The first session featured CAAD alumni and director of the National Pavilion UAE Leila Binbrek, who discussed the role of education in facilitating success, and the importance of risk-taking, independent work, and collaboration. The panel debated the balance between fundamental skills and knowledge and fostering an independent approach to design work within studio-based degree programs.
The second-panel session featured current CAAD students Marianne Breidy, Nujud Alhusain, Khaled Zaher, and Omar Darwish, who joined the members of the first panel to discuss design education. They addressed the tensions between a formal curriculum and the flexibility to pursue areas of personal and professional interest, the value of breadth through courses beyond their chosen major, and the importance of addressing issues that are locally and regionally relevant to the design professions. The panel also debated questions related to career preparation, professional competence at graduation, and the importance of the fundamentals of design.
Professor Mitchell stressed the crucial role of the symposium series in examining how CAAD can respond to future challenges, and continue to ensure that CAAD graduates can communicate clearly, think critically, and solve problems creatively. The panel’s insights aim to inform CAAD’s educational philosophy and help shape the future of design education.