The Valorised Designer by Nigel Whiteley

Nigel Whiteley writes about the valorized designer in his essay. He starts off by saying Theory and practice are no longer opposites but they are unreal. And design education has changed in a ad hoc way. He goes on to describe some current and recent inadequate models of education such as the “formalised designer”, the “theorized designer”, “ the technologized designer”, and “the valorized designer”. The formalised designer didn’t learn about design history in school, only art history. The design education focused solely on the formal elements of design, the craft, and construction. The theorised designer is the complete opposite. Design education focuses on a broad spectrum of theory because “theory explains all particular discourses.” The technologised designer values technology. This practice believes that new technology offers a better resolution that it previous. The theory dwells on “how to” rather than “why.” The valorized designer is “a new model in design education for the millennium.” The valorized designer is “independently-minded, creative, constructive, understanding, has flair sensitivity and has social conscience.” With this model theory and practice will interpenetrate but the distinction will not collapse. Whitely wants to create a “new academy” where design students will receive a true education. “Students will become critical and articulate responsible citizen-designers, they will promise an understanding of value systems and be able to justify his/her beliefs and commitments.” Design is ultimately a cultural discipline; values are professionally and intellectually relevant.