Neoco

So I got my magazine debut earlier this week, in none other than the Computer Arts ‘Round table’ discussion panel. The question: ‘What’s the value of a design degree? So, regardless of being the token graduate in the group (despite the fact I graduated over a year ago) I quite enjoyed my 15 minutes of fame. The only mood dampener was the fact that I felt my opinion was only taken into account as that of an ex-student, rather than a professional designer – though perhaps this was to do with the fact that I’m (1) a female, and (2) a junior in a – shock horror – (3) DIGITAL agency. I mean, come on guys, it’s a digital magazine for crying out loud, yet there were lengthy discussions about the negative effect technology has on design education and how students shouldn’t be allowed near a computer (most of which wasn’t printed for obvious reasons).

Computers encourage a generation of ‘mac monkeys?’ No degree worth their salt churns out graduates like that, but in an industry with a rapidly merging skillset there has to be a level, surely? Not many agencies can afford to employ a student that faints at the sight of technology, no matter how great their ideas are. Even in a print agency nothing’s done on paper anymore!

However, as my opinion on this matter wasn’t exactly sought, it was hard to get a word in edge ways! Though I do appreciate the unfortunate pull out quote I got about my old course at the UCA

My tutors would be proud I’m sure (!) or at least they would if they took an interest in digital design. Should I be worried?

Tags  Belden Ben Hedges Catapult Digital Computer Arts De-construct Design Digital digital design Elspeth Engine Service Design Finola Gaynor Frederik Flade graduate Greg Quinton I was promised a beer for doing this LB Mac monkeys marketing misquote neoco opinions Ravensbourne sexism Steve Lee The Partners Tom Dennis UCA