Good benefactors managing design expectations

Abstract

Product design graduates can present themselves as over confident, unrealistic and even arrogant to potential clients. They seem to assume knowledge about their benefactors and have some false expectations of what it means to be a designer. Design courses should provide opportunities for students to explore their own background and experience. They need to develop an understanding the importance of social networks and be able to work with a wider range of organizations. It is vital that they understand the value of intellectual property and its central role in design exchange today. There is more than one design career route open to them and they must be able to change and adapt and be ready to take up opportunities. This paper is written from the viewpoint of a design historian and design manager, who has a fractional post teaching Contextual Studies on a Product Design course, at The University of Northampton, whilst running a specialist design consultancy. Those teaching design should learn to be good benefactors and manage their undergraduates' expectations