Design Strategy - Skills Evaluation

6B2 - Evaluating and understanding the context and array of my skills which apply to both the design and teaching industries. 


During the past three years I have learnt and developed a lot of key skills which can be applied to both Graphic design and teaching. The skills required for being a professional and successful graphic designer are every versatile and can be applied in the real world throughout a range of different careers. For examples working on collaborative projects allowed me to practise my teamwork and leadership skills, focusing on making compromises, making decisions and organising groups of people. 

An important aspect of graphic design, and also what design is all about is communicating to a range of different audiences in the most effective ways. This has given me the skills to create meaningful resources and presentations in the classroom, as well as knowing which tone of voice to use when talking and presenting to different ages. Also the skills I have developed on a range of design software allow me to create resources and visual, engaging presentations as well as being competent on important softwares if I ever want to go back into the creative industries.

Presenting and pitching ideas, as well as being in part of feedback and crit groups have made me more confident with speaking in and to large groups of people. As well as showing me the importance of engaging, visual presentations, using images is key to get people to watch and listen, as well as telling a story. All of these are important skills when standing up in front of a class of 30 and getting them to focus and enjoy what they are learning. 

My creative skills also give me an advantage on creating exciting lesson plans, presentations and displays within the classroom. My goal is to use creativity and apply it through every subject, not just art and design, as I believe this is the key to getting children to retain information as well as enjoying school and wanting to come in every day excited, engaged and ready to learn. 

Work experience in various schools over the past three years has allowed me to learn directly from teachers and their approaches to preparation, planning, and assessment. I have seen, first hand, some of the obstacles that teaching staff face when working with children with different special educational needs, pupil premium, or looked after children. Working alongside school staff has not only honed my relationship-building abilities, but I have seen how they interpret government curriculums by following short, mid and long-term planning. By working with different year groups, I have observed how teachers differentiate their teaching methods to cater for a range of ability.

In conclusion the skills and knowledge I have learnt and developed through my degree as well as work experience in schools and as a progression ambassador has allowed me to be well prepared for my teaching career and PGCE. More specifically the skills I have learnt through designing will help me to stand out and be the best teacher I can be, they are also skills which I can apply just generally in the real world and industry as well as any other careers I may go into in the future.