Flourishing in graphic design education: incorporating Ubuntu as a curricular strategy.

Abstract

The role of the contemporary graphic designer has changed and in order to practice within this new paradigm, designers have to acquire skills grounded in other disciplines. To recognise social responsibility designers have to consider applying human-centred processes. According to the Aristotelian perspective human beings should achieve eudaimonia (flourishing) through a lifetime devoted to virtue and rationality. Therefore, a process such as human-centred design enables designers and end-users to be a foundation for flourishing through the co-development of purposeful design solutions. Additionally, the significance of Ubuntu within a South African design education environment is becoming increasingly important owing to the values of co-creation and empathy within the context of shared social interactions. This paper advocates for the incorporation of the principles of Ubuntu in the formulation of curricula as a means of integrating flourishing and an increased social responsibility in graphic design education.