As an advanced skills teacher in design and technology (textiles and fashion design) and a lead practitioner in design and technology, I saw my role at the conference as investigator. I set my sights on establishing what opportunities were offered within the design and technology field Victorian schools and colleges. Are they creating innovative designers of the future? Or more to the point how are they creating innovative designers of the future?

With London Fashion Week currently hitting the headlines, the work of young Austrailian designers collaborating with British talent is apparent. Tina Kalivas being one such example. Kalivas moved from Adelaide to London, aged 19 and first began working for the costume house, Angels & Burmans. Kalivas is now assisting one of London’s most provocative designers, Alexander McQueen.

So how are the Australians harbouring these talents and is it happening on the shop floor?

On approaching my hotel in Melbourne on my first night ever in Australia it appeared to me that the city, and possibly the developed parts of the whole country, was bursting with creative, innovative and talented designers by the shape and modern style of the built environment. The architecture and sculptures, although shockingly modern, were both thought provoking and radical in colour, shape, texture and size. I was instantly excited to see the training behind the designers. Luckily for me it was design week in Melbourne (and as I travelled up the Gold Coast – it followed me to Sydney ending its travels with me in Cairns). A display of students’ work using recycled materials stood out against design classics. I discovered that Austrailia is a country with a large national concern in protecting the environment, nature and its wildlife. We were reminded on a regular basis to reuse carrier bags or ideally swap to the user-friendly paper or ‘bag for life’ bags. The students’ work primarily used carrier bags to highlight the issue of how many bags are used a week by fellow Australians and how easy it is to recycle. The message was strong, as was the diversity, originality and construction of the design pieces.

The conference offered a fantastic opportunity to network with other like-minded individuals from home and away(!) However the highlight of my visit was the opportunity to visit a number of Victorian schools. During my visits I focused on the design and technology departments known as materials technology, 3D studies or technology.

My first visit was to Bellarine Secondary College. A split site college, under the headship of principal Colin Sing, the college aims to: ‘provide students with a high quality education within a safe and supportive environment in which all students consider themselves to be worthwhile members of the community. Students are encouraged to strive for excellence, and develop a positive set of values. The college will provide students with opportunities and encouragement to realise their potential in academic studies, physical, cultural and social development.’

Students in years seven and eight (equivalent to English years six and seven) undertake core subjects and experience a range of arts and technology subjects. Each student receives four periods of technology per week equivalent to three periods in maths and science although less than English (five periods). Students in year nine and 10 (equivalent to English years eight & nine) undertake core subjects and select from a range of technology electives. For the ‘later years’ year 11 & 12 (equivalent to British years 10 & 11 – key stage four) Bellarine offers a broad range of VCE (Victorian Certificate of Education) subjects and other related courses. Design & technology covers the following:

Food technology and systems and technology (electronics) are not included under the umbrella of design & technology. Students select their own learning pathways and can choose one of the subjects in this area from the following:

Metalwork
Unit one: materials, processes & design

Unit two: parameters of design

Surfboard making
Unit one: materials, process and design

Unit two: parameters of design

Woodwork
Unit one: materials, process and design

This will include making beds; bookcases; tables; TV/video cabinets, blanket boxes concentrating on distinctive properties of materials and their reason for selection.

Unit two: parameters of design

This will include making beds; bookcases; tables; TV/video cabinets, blanket boxes focusing on the considerations and constraints that may be imposed as products are developed.

Unit three: product development

Focussing on the design and development of a product for mass production.

Unit four: product evaluation and marketing

Focussing on how judgements of the success of products can be informed by a comparison of products in terms of their quality, usefulness and appeal.

Under a separate umbrella food technology is offered to give students a greater understanding of food as a commodity and knowledge of food preparation and production from a mass production scale. Systems and control is another option allowing students to develop skills which allow them to construct and evaluate different electronic systems. Some examples of the projects on display at the college were:

In summary (Bellarine Secondary College)

The projects I observed within the classroom were controlled, skill-based and focused on producing quality outcomes. There was little development or communication of design ideas as design briefs were prescribed. There wasn’t scope for innovative design or creativity. There was no evidence of first hand or second hand research to inspire the design concepts. The year 11 class I observed were making a box to set measurements. The teaching style was very traditional and the room lacked visual stimuli. The products on display were well made but all very similar. Traditional skills were being taught, planning was given and not reached although evaluations and rigorous testing was undertaken.

Geelong High School

My second visit was to Geelong High School. The school recognises and values the people in its community and exists to provide a learning environment, which will develop the full potential of all students. It also aims to challenge students to do their best, to grow socially and intellectually and to fully prepare them as adaptable citizens in an ever-changing society. The school motto, Vitae Nos Parat, (it prepares us for life) provides a basis for the total school curriculum.

The Geelong High School approach to curriculum at years seven, eight, nine and 10 (eight, nine, 10 & 11) is through Individual Learning Pathways (ILP). This is set to challenge the students by giving them the choice and motivation by enabling them to be the key drivers in their curriculum selection.

Design & technology is offered under the technology umbrella, known as materials technology, which also encompasses information technology.

From the following table students are asked to select:

Year seven 2004: at least four technology units during the three years of ILP
Year eight 2004: at least three technology units during the two years of ILP
Year nine 2004: at least one technology unit in 2005

There is a cost implication for each course ranging from $5 to $70 (approx £2 to £28). From observation of a number of classroom lessons the same rigorous basic skills teaching was taking place. Simply sewing involved each student following instructions to produce pyjama bottoms in tartan brushed cotton, medium size. The students demonstrated machining skills which would be envied by many textiles technology year 11 students across Britain. However the brief would have lost their interest quickly.

I made contact with Kirsty McCarthy, Head of Textiles, who was very interested to find out about the project undertaken in British schools. I intend to send ‘Speed Step’ information (a fashion design software for the classroom) and share creative and innovative design briefs and schemes of work.

So, if it cannot be found in the Victorian materials technology classroom, where do the students go to engage innovative design work and explore their creativity? The answer is the local Technology & Arts Further Education (TAFE) College.

TAFE website

TAFE and secondary schools work together to help Australian and overseas students gain the qualifications for their desired career. Vocational Education and Training (VET) courses are offered as part of the HSC and are studied by tens of thousands of students each year. They provide students with work-related skills.

The entry requirements are:

Australian design & technology secondary school teaching appeared to be very traditional in its approach. There was a lack of design development and stimuli for design direction. There was little cross over with the arts. It appeared to be centred on teaching basic manufacturing skills to a high level. Have the Australians got it right by equipping the students with the basic skills for university? Their talents are reaching the headlines and the catwalks. Spawned from Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology University (RMIT), one of Australia’s leading educational institutions, Melbourne designer, Kit Willow Michelmore, is currently launching a delectable collection of hand worked lingerie pieces inspired by the glamour of the 20s.

Formed in 1887, the university has grown to become one of the largest in the country and has built a worldwide reputation for excellence in vocational and technical education and research.

RMIT offers more than 200 TAFE and higher educational programs across a broad range of fields. Many specialist programs are regarded as among the best of their kind in Australia. Traditional strengths such as engineering, business and IT sit beside popular contemporary fields including life sciences, communications and fashion. The school of fashion offers the following courses:

The school is located at:
School of Fashion and Textiles
RMIT University
25 Dawson Street
Brunswick Victoria 3805

International student inquiries email: fashionandtextiles.fio@rmit.edu.au. The RMIT also has a centre for design that can be accessed at http://www.cfd.rmit.edu.au/

For further information contact: Kevin Jones, subject leader for design and technology.