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The following book review was published in Design>Magazine edition 14, page 250 and can be viewed on their website: http://www.designmagazine.co.za

Design as a secondary school subject has faced many transformations, developments and challenges during the past few years. Not dwelling on the challenges, one of the most encouraging recent developments is the publication of the textbook, Design Grade 10 and the accompanying Design Grade 10 Teacher’s Guide published by Future Managers in 2009. The publisher describes the book as: “The first ever full-colour design textbook designed for designers by designers in South Africa.”

The authors Suné Stassen, Leon Buchner, Ronell Lareman, Lara Kruger and San-Marie de la Rey, brought together their vast experience in design practice and education in a whopping 300-page textbook.

The book coincidentally matched the FET (Further Education & Training) National Design Curriculum for grade 10 100%, and it is divided into four modules, which match the four school terms. The modules take an unique and intelligent pedagogical slant on the subject and include: What is design?; Communication; Can design benefit?; and Design in a business context.

The content is structured to effectively empower teachers to take learners on a progressive and insightful journey through the plethora of design disciplines, covering history, theory, critical thinking, contemporary case studies, practical activities, assessment guidelines and much more.

The content structure and the design of the book is dense and engaging. It moves beyond the traditional way of teaching design at secondary school level, which tends to focus on the aesthetic and execution aspects. Design Grade 10 rather focuses on the inherent function and value of contemporary design practice and contextualises it in the worlds of business, society and popular culture – a rather refreshing approach.

Another unique aspect of the textbook is its focus on the South African context. Design Grade 10 is filled with examples of work, case studies and interviews with South African designers. The content goes beyond mere ‘show and tell’ and positions design as viable career option.

The selection of case studies and featured designers spans a variety of design disciplines and generations and thereby, creates local role models – an aspect that Africa urgently needs.

Since Design is not regarded as a priority school subject such as Mathematics and Science, the Department of Education does not invest many resources in its development – teacher training and teaching tools. However, the authors of this textbook drew upon their deep passion for the subject to develop a tool that elevates its status, empowers its teachers and inspires its learners.

The publisher took a commendable risk by investing in a niche subject, publishing an obviously costly full-colour textbook – an unusual step in the textbook market – and they supported the belief of the authors that one cannot teach Design effectively with a black and white handbook. Understandably, it is not high-end quality production but that was never the intention – it needed to be an unpretentious and content driven ‘workhorse’, which it is.

Design Grade 10 can be ordered directly from the publisher at http://www.futuremanagers.net

2 Comments

1. fahiemajacobs

   Posted December 1, 2009 at 4:24 PM

   Great book! Grade 11 & 12 learners will surely benefit from future volumes.

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2. fahiemajacobs

   Posted December 1, 2009 at 4:24 PM

   Great book!

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   please wait...

   Rating: 0.0/5 (0 votes cast)