Research Dutch Design – Since May 2010 Louise Schouwenberg and Gert Staal, Lector(Professor) and Senior Researcher respectively, are studying the many influences that have led to the success of Dutch design, such as: which are the research and design models design students worked with during their education, either consciously or not; which are the research and design models they work with today; what was the economic, social and cultural context in which they started their careers; what was the influence of the Dutch subsidy system; how can we position the various generations of Dutch designers within an international context. As the majority of well-known Dutch designers studied at DAE, the research will offer more insight into the qualities and challenges of the current education at DAE.
The research will increase our knowledge of the education at DAE in the past and in the now, ánd it will intensify the institute’s knowledge of Dutch design in general. In close cooperation with Premsela, Dutch platform for design and fashion, and VU University Amsterdam, Design Cultures programme, the Lectoraat Design Theory will work towards a publication and a symposium on Dutch design.
A significant part of the research is the analysis of (design) developments both in the Netherlands and abroad. Gradually the Lectoraat will create a legacy of visions on design and all social, cultural and economic themes related to it. These visions will, likewise as the above mentioned research, be communicated to the outside world via lectures (within the school: White Lady lectures and the Source lectures), texts on the website and contributions to international publications on design and international symposia.
Ba-Ma - Apart from the above-mentioned research and reflection on design, the LectoraatDesign Theory will have other contributions to DAE. Together with the board and the policy bureau of the academy the Lectoraat will reflect on the future of the new BaMa (bachelor master) structure.
Bachelor Programme - For the Bachelor programme, the Lectoraat will set up an Honours Programme for students, who have the talent and the motivation for research, the completion of which will lead to extra credits on their Bachelor Diploma. The first Honours Programme will start in February 2012.
Master Programme - Since the Master course primarily focuses on research, the Lectoraat has close ties with those involved in determining the contents of the current Master’s course. Apart from this direct involvement, on behalf of the Lectoraat, Gert Staal will operate as an external critic on behalf of the Lectoraat. He will analyse the themes of the students' works and give feedback, and eventually the results of his involvement will lead to adaptations in the research programmes.
Students are invited to take part in the development of relevant visions on design, for instance because they are invited to attend symposia. Other ways of involving students are the essay competitions. The theme of the first essay competition - New Realities, New Roles For Designers - was issued March/April 2011. See the Jury report, the winning essay and two essays that received honorary mentions. The next essay competition will be issued by the end of October 2011.