Abstract
As visual communication evolves in response to automation, globalization, and ethical expectations, design education must prepare students to think systemically and act with social and environmental awareness. This case study examines an upper-level Brand Identity course that integrated inquiry-based learning, moral philosophy, systems thinking, and human-centered design methods to foster responsible practices without prescriptive checklists. Unlike many programs where sustainability appears only in isolated assignments, this course challenged students to address complex branding problems through Cooke’s methodology for social problem-solving, Norman’s human-centric approach, and systems thinking. Conducted across three semesters, the curriculum emphasized autonomy, interdisciplinary learning, and real-world relevance. Student projects were evaluated using a rubric addressing circular economy, material sourcing, social impact, and environmental impact. Through structured research and open-ended prompts, students navigated ambiguity, engaging with cultural context and intrinsic motivation. Despite sustainability not being required, projects consistently demonstrated ethical material choices, circular systems, social justice themes, and environmental responsibility. Results show particularly strong outcomes in social impact, with 80% of students scoring eight or higher out of 10. Findings suggest that coupling Cooke’s methodology with ethical dialogue, systemic thinking, and human-centered design fosters socially driven solutions with measurable positive impact. By shifting from rigid instruction to reflective, inquiry-driven learning, design education can cultivate socially conscious, systems-minded creatives equipped to address global challenges through ethical inquiry and complex problem-solving.
Presenters
Samuel Dong SaulStudent, M.A., MFA, University of Northern Colorado, Colorado, United States
Details
Presentation Type
Theme
Education, Assessment and Policy
KEYWORDS
Design Pedagogy, Human-Centered Design, Systems Thinking, Branding Strategies, Ethical Design
