Category: Design Education

The Rockefeller Education Trap Feynman Escaped

In 1913, Frederick T. Gates, working through Rockefeller’s General Education Board, wrote a sentence that still haunts modern education: “We shall not try to make these people or any of their children into philosophers or men of learning or of science.” This essay traces how that hidden logic of sorting, usefulness and credentialed obedience still shapes schools, universities and design education and why Richard Feynman’s story offers a powerful escape route. Against a system that trains students to fit into the world as it is, The New Art School asks a more dangerous question: what if every designer were educated to think, see, question and remake the world?

The Future of Design Education: A Conversation with Jac Batey

As AI, economic pressures, and shifting employment landscapes reshape the industry, institutions must prioritise adaptability, collaboration, and critical thinking. The future belongs to those who embrace change, and educators like Jac Batey are leading the charge.

Education’s Imagination Crisis: Why We Need Art Schools for the Mind

Unlock creativity and rescue our future: discovering why education’s imagination crisis demands art schools. Dive into how fostering creativity, not just knowledge, reshapes learners, communities, and innovation. Read more to champion the arts, it’s time to rebuild education’s soul.

Lefteris Heretakis: Igniting Creative Minds

Lefteris Heretakis bridges inspiration and innovation in Igniting Creative Minds. This interview explores the universe that fuels his work—his stories, philosophies, and drive to spark both personal expression and collective imagination. From early curiosity to ambitious visions, his journey offers insights to inspire and illuminate creative paths for others.

Design Education Talks: Brian Grimwood: The Illustrator Who Rewrote the Rules.

Brian Grimwood’s journey is a masterclass in creativity and adaptability. From his early days at Bromley Tech to his global impact through the CIA, he has navigated the industry with humour and grit. The CIA, with its commitment to “vitality and dynamism” in commercial art, continues to champion artists who elevate brands like HarperCollins and Starbucks.

Professor Phil Cleaver Episode 100: A Full-Circle Celebration

Phil’s return is not just a nostalgic nod; it’s a full-circle celebration of a life richly lived through design. His journey, from a cheeky East End kid with a rebellious streak to a globally respected designer and educator, is as illuminating today as it was when he first joined us in episode one. This conversation dives deeper into the roots of creativity, the evolution of design practice, and what design education should, and shouldn’t, be today.