The first year of design education: Abstract - concrete problem-centered model

Abstract

This study explains the first year experience that is the focal point of the design education at the Department of Interior Architecture and Environmental Design at IKU. The management of this process is of great importance for the students to learn a new language, adopt new approaches as well as their adaptation and motivation. Therefore, a studio model has been designed to ensure that the students are freed from their previously learned conditionings, start to challenge their mindscape, think about their problems in a consistent way and thus, reveal their creativity and gain new experiences. This model adopting the "learn by experience" approach forming the basis of all design studios is planned with several student- and team work-oriented, short term  experimental studies and motivational events (sightseeing activities, sketching works, reading activities, discussions, going to art events etc.). The model comprised of first and second terms and planned as a whole focuses not on the resulting products, but rather on the experimental works designed for the development of creating process. Any practice that is thought to contribute to the creativity and creating process of the students is examined under the headings of "problem, method, gain and student works" that forms the model structure. Therefore, the model is considered to be important since it tries and develops different approaches in design training and sets an example for the future studies.

Keywords: Abstract-concrete problems, design process, design studio, experience