Design as a Life Skill
Yvette van Dorp • May 7, 2020
Since the dawn of time man has had an innate urge to protect himself using clothing, shelter and communication. Looking at historical civilizations: designers and inventors created the loom to weave materials for clothing. People created signage for their shops and made advertisements for their goods. Language became a written form of communication.
War brought about the biggest strides in the development of new inventions and designs. New weapons were forged, from the sword to gunpowder to the present use of military drones even.
The Industrial Revolution was a great contributor to the development of farm implements to revolutionise the farming industry. It also created opportunities for designers to developed new ways to create everyday objects at an affordable price so that the average Joe could also have for example: aesthetically pleasing, designer-made furniture in their homes.
We rely heavily on the architects and interior designers to create wonderful spaces for our homes and offices, making it as comfortable and productive as possible.
The consumer market evolved from people bartering (or exchanging) goods for goods to the exchange of money (when the humble coin was introduced by the Roman Empire). This stands in high contrast to the way we buy and sell today.
We can buy and sell goods online and can almost live completely cashless. Because of our online lifestyles, a lot of advertising takes place on our devices and does not solely have to be on hard copy anymore.
Software designers have created a booming gaming industry in which players are visually stimulated to partake in games and are no longer merely observing passively.
Observing the evolution of human nature, we realise that within us all exists an instinctiveness to create new things to address our needs. We have made changes to existing designs to create better and more efficient goods around us and will continue to create new things in the future. What was revolutionary in the past has most probably become outdated or even redundant today.
With the spread of the Covid-19 virus, people are forced to be more creative with regards to how they work and teach from the comforts of their own homes. Program and end-user architects have made apps and resources available to use in a creative manner. People who feel that creativity is not their strong point now have the tools to create innovative, interactive and visually stimulating resources for people to use. This steers mankind into the new world of collaboration, content creation and resource sharing.
Lastly, I ponder why design is such an important subject in school… the answer is simple: We are training young minds to be the future inventors and designers of products and services that don’t exist yet. We are teaching them to be inquisitive, innovative and creative to impact the future. They are the holders of potential that will blow our minds in times to come.
ADvTECH SCHOOLS CLAIM TOP HONOURS IN WESSA CENTENARY AWARDS
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As the preliminary and final examinations approach, both students and parents or guardians often experience heightened anxiety and stress. This guide provides practical strategies to help parents and guardians support their children through this critical phase of their academic journey. 1. Foster Effective Organization Create an environment conducive to studying by providing a quiet, well-lit study space equipped with essential stationery. Collaborate with your child to develop a structured study timetable to set clear expectations and promote disciplined preparation. Encourage the use of resources such as past question papers, which serve as valuable tools for revision and practice. 2. Maintain Daily Check-Ins Schedule regular, intentional conversations, such as during dinner, to discuss your child’s progress. Inquire about their experience with the day’s examination paper, adherence to their study schedule, and their feelings about upcoming tests. These check-ins foster open communication and allow you to gauge their emotional and academic state. 3. Minimize Distractions Help your child stay focused by keeping electronic devices like phones, tablets, and gaming consoles out of reach during study sessions. Set boundaries on screen time and social media access to prevent procrastination. While challenging, limiting Wi-Fi access during study hours can significantly enhance productivity. 4. Support Emotional Awareness Encourage your child to identify and articulate their emotions, such as anxiety, stress, or fatigue . Recognizing these feelings is the first step toward addressing them effectively. Discuss coping strategies to help them navigate emotional challenges during this period. 5. Teach Self-Regulation Techniques Guide your child in practicing self-regulation to manage stress. Techniques include: Breathing Exercises : Inhale deeply for four seconds, hold for four seconds, exhale for four seconds, and repeat. Sensory Focus : Identify five things they can see or hear to ground themselves in the moment. Tactile Stimulation : Hold a cold object to shift focus and reduce anxiety. These methods can help your child regain calm and focus during stressful moments. 6. Promote a Balanced Routine Prolonged study sessions late into the night can lead to burnout. Monitor your child’s study habits and encourage breaks to maintain balance. Plan activities such as outings with friends, a family meal, or short recreational periods with access to devices. Engaging in non-academic activities, like helping prepare dinner, can provide a refreshing change of focus. 7. Prioritize Self-Care Support your child’s well-being by ensuring they: Eat nutritious, regular meals. Get at least eight hours of sleep by limiting screen time before bed. Engage in physical activities such as walking, jogging, yoga, dancing, or gym workouts. These practices help alleviate stress and anxiety, which are common during examination periods. 8. Practice Empathy and Patience The examination period can be emotionally taxing for both students and parents. Approach your child with empathy, actively listening and offering guidance without criticism. This fosters a supportive environment, bolstering their mental health and sense of inclusion. By implementing these strategies, parents and guardians can play a pivotal role in helping their children navigate the challenges of examinations with confidence and resilience. Good luck to all the Grade 12 students with the upcoming examinations - you most certainly can do it!
