Theoretical studies and practical tools for a systemic design educational paradigm. Applications of Systems Thinking principles to design education

Abstract

The paper analyses the relationship between currently changes, about cultural paradigm, and systemic designer's education. It represents a critical moment, because a suitable learning gives opportunities to practice abilities necessary for the communication with the complexity of social systems. In future scenarios concepts of complexity, systems, sustainability, “interdisciplinarity” and “transdisciplinarity” are the foundamental part of design language. So the design world gets closer to “the systems thinking” and the theory of complexity, conditioning its methodologies that becomes “systems oriented”. Through the critical analysis of some case studies, we want to analyse different methods used to get closer students to the systemic approach and trying to create a deep collaboration between theoretical studies and practice. Finally we would like to draw attention to some features of non conventional education, which are more affected into the development of a systemic awareness and which are useful to define a systemic educational model for design studies.