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2018_04_Kumar

The document discusses the need for continuous skill development in design education, particularly in the context of India. It explores the current landscape of design education, identifies gaps between academic training and industry expectations, and proposes a service framework called Skill Compass to address these challenges. The research includes case studies, interviews, and literature reviews to inform the development of effective design education practices that align with evolving professional demands.

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macankem99
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0% found this document useful (0 votes)
43 views

2018_04_Kumar

The document discusses the need for continuous skill development in design education, particularly in the context of India. It explores the current landscape of design education, identifies gaps between academic training and industry expectations, and proposes a service framework called Skill Compass to address these challenges. The research includes case studies, interviews, and literature reviews to inform the development of effective design education practices that align with evolving professional demands.

Uploaded by

macankem99
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Continuous Skill Development

Skill Compass

Politecnico Di Milano,
School of Design

Master Degree,
Product Service System Design

Tutor
Valentina Auricchio

Author
Nitya Kumar
850247
A.A. 2016, 2017
Contents INTRODUCTION

18
Case Studies Design Education
Methodology
6
Abstract
20
8
01 Srishti Institute of Art, Design & technology

Assumption & Motivation


22
10
02 Scuola Del Design, Polimi

Preface
24
12 03 Career Foundry

Research phase
Research plan
26
04 The DO School
Research Framework

14 28
Industry Survey
Design Schools
Online Survey
Mapping a design school

16 34
Interviews Design Professionals
Literature Review
Methodology
LITERATURE REVIEW
Interview guideline questions
36 61
Interviews Service Framework
What Is Skill Compass?
48 Skill Compass: The Service
The Touchpoints
Excerpts

52 63
Summary The Platform

52 64
Research Findings Classroom Toolkit
Current System

54 66
Analysis The Skill profiles
How does it work?

56 System map
business model
Opportunity / challenge Areas

58 74
Opportunities
Concept
Conclusion
Skill Compass
Bibliography
Websites
Abstract -07

Abstract
For this part, I aim to look into companies
that practice design and design thinking, or
AN INQUIRY INTO THE LANDSCAPE OF
DESIGN EDUCATION IN INDIA companies that are designing products and
services within an Indian context.
Additionally, the research aims to get into the
With Design gaining increasing acceptance and nitty-gritties of the needs of the companies and
popularity in the world of work, the need to design students. May it be in expectations, skills
develop contextual innovations in the approach, or future strategies; what are organizations
within the area of design education, is of great really looking for in a future employee? Is a
value. The first phase of my thesis aims to standard design education sufficient to attack
explore the current state of design education the rapidly changing needs of the country?
worldwide. By probing into education models, Or, are design-educated people still going to
especially ones that are breaking the structured be employed in companies as we know them
mold set by veteran organizations, I aim to today? Are we going to be entrepreneurs, social
understand the need to push current practices workers, anthropologists, thought leaders,
and find opportunities that can help re-frame superheros..?
perspectives.
The analysis of this research, will shed light
The second layer to this setting involves to the next step in framing the thesis project.
analyzing the design landscape in India, and The project itself could likely extract a minute
how this backtracks into design education. section of this spectrum, and, applying a service
In reality, owing to India’s dynamic culture, design approach, which is the actual scope of
economic and social structures and the sheer my Master’s education, devise an intervention,
variety of “user” profiles one can list out, create a product service system or provide a
designing for such a context requires special framework for such a predicament.
consideration into the methods and practices
that in the recent past have been deemed as
standard.

Skill Compass . Continuous Skill Development


Assumption -09

As a designer who has a bachelor’s experienced. I spoke with a lot of my colleagues


degree in industrial design , I went and friends and asked about their experiences.
forward working in two companies. Quite a few of them agreed that even if their jobs
One directly connected to my studies were in companies with open, innovative and
and another, slightly different , in new-age environments, in the end, it wasn’t
the installation design field. In these professors giving feedback to their work, but
two jobs, I noticed that I learnt much co-workers and clients who are investing in
more on the job, than I did in 4 years them; money, time and trust. This changes the
of University. This is not to say that I expectation.
valued my education any less. Design
school opened my mind to new On the one hand, I thought this is no big
philosophies, a different attitude and revelation, for decades now, this is how it has
a world of possibilities. Yet, many worked - fresh graduates start somewhere,
things that I learnt on the job were trip and stumble, then find their ground. On
much more tangible. In school I learnt the other hand, the question stayed with me,
about form and function, at work I especially in the context of design. The number
& Motivation

learnt how forms and functions are of emerging job titles in the, now, vast field of
valued and perceived by customers. design is blurring the lines between design and
Assumption

I learnt how to communicate with other fields.


service vendors, negotiate and make
decisions. Design school offers a safe India, I thought would be a good place to start-
and ideal environment to learn, read, being my home and a place where development
explore and reflect. The contrast is is happening very fast. The design field is not
stark when it comes to professional as mature as it is in the European context, but
practice; at least in my personal has a lot to offer. Especially because there’s a
experience. chance to integrate design(thinking) more into
the culture, which is not new to design; albeit
Eventually , I joined Politecnico di in the craft and textile sectors. The number
Milano’s PSSD program to further of services and digital products are increasing
quench my thirst for academic exponentially and a design intervention is
knowledge into a field that’s very waiting to happen in the government, private
exciting. When my internship at IXDS and educational sectors.
Berlin, started, there was a familiar
feeling of the gap I previously

Skill Compass . Continuous Skill Development


Preface -011

“the new role of design


is demanding much
more specialized skills
than those of a purely
visual and technical
syllabus.”
PREFACE
need a change?

Until recently, most design schools Sheila Pontis, a lecturer at Princeton being hired to join interdisciplinary
have been developed from an art and University, and a PhD in information teams and help tackle a variety of
architecture foundation. The teaching design, discusses the need for re- challenges from social problems and
styles, as well as design philosophies thinking design school in her blog, rethinking business plans to advising
Why do we

are born out of an industrial era. While Mapping complex information. She in economic issues.
these methods and philosophies have notes- “Designers who have been
elevated design to a level where it involved in the design community In India especially, there is not only
is now recognized world over, the for more than 15 years should have a need to tackle social challenges
philosophies themselves teach us that noticed how much the role of design and economic issues, but a huge
critical thinking and designing for has changed, moving from being potential to build a talent pool. To
context are cornerstones in the field merely an artistic activity to being create the designers of tomorrow
of design thinking. It is therefore an activity that ‘makes everything and equip them with the right skills
necessary to analyze the environment possible’.” She goes on to explain and exposure to become professional,
in which design education is rooted how the role of designers has changed impactful designers - whatever type
now. While keeping the current from being artists , that just make of designer it may be.
situation in mind, it is equally things pretty, to THE ones able to
important to look to the future, and make BIG changes in the world or at
recognize the role of design in this least leading those changes. For this
technologically driven world. reason, designers are increasingly

(Mapping Complex Information. Theory and Practice, 2016)

Skill Compass . Continuous Skill Development


Research phase -013

RESEARCH FRAMEWORK

RESEARCH PLAN via surveys and video/audio


1) Literature Review
calls. First hand knowledge will
Gathering knowledge through
be collected from peers, design
studying articles, journals and
professionals, entrepreneurs and
previously conducted research on
The purpose of this research is to first other stakeholders.
topics like innovation in education
and foremost validate my premise systems, future of design & designers,
that there is a need for design schools 4) Observation
Indian context for design etc. to build
to adapt to a rapidly transforming I have the advantage of being in
a sound basis for the theme.
world around it. a professional environment while
To begin with, the plan is to writing this paper. This gives me
2) Case Studies
Research

research a selection of institutions, the opportunity to observe and


Referring to instances in a number of
some traditional, some so called experience the transition from being
design schools in India and Europe,
“alternative” and “experimental”, a Design student to a professional.
design practices in India to extract
based on parameters that I see apt By also visiting universities around
phase

practices and emerging themes.


to make sense for my inquiry. These Berlin, I will have the chance to
will be consolidated into case studies. observe both the educational and
3) Interviews
Further, the plan is to conduct professional sides
Conducting interviews - in person,
interviews with employees, founders
and recruiters in organizations in
India which currently practice Design
Thinking in some capacity.
By analyzing the findings, I plan
to uncover the gaps, obstacles and
needs that are vital phases where a
design education transforms into
design practice.

Skill Compass . Continuous Skill Development


Design Schools -015

MAPPING A DESIGN SCHOOL

Employment
Multiple Skills Opportunities
Academic
Stronghold Portfolio
Professional of Projects
Contacts
Soft Skills Creating
Knowledge
Awareness of industry
expectations &
Possibilities
Methods &Tools
UNDERSTANDING Trusted by
Expertise to start up
by self
Stakeholders Research
THE ECOSYSTEM Skill Labs
Individual
Career Path
Development Future
Education Global
Readiness
Network

To understand the design education


Ranking
Personal Skill Exchange
ecosystem, a research consisting Brand
Growth
of studying papers, publications, Culture
Exchange
blogs and primary desk research Class size
What Makes a
was conducted. The aim was to
Medium
Course Design School? Quality
Mentorship
consolidate the current landscape Structure Faculty & Peers

of various design institutions by Course


Modules
means of compare & contrast. To Collaboration
Schools

Infrastructure &
Design

understand the research in a concise Field Experience/ Learning environment


manner, the following pages discuss Industry Exposure
collaboration Architecture
the landscape from the point of view Exchange Speciality/ Value of
of ‘offering’. By understanding what Opportunities Specialization Degree
Internships Accreditation
design school means globally, a set Facilities

of the most common offerings are


Vertical vs Horizontal Maintaining
USP
highlighted. The second layer gives Standards

wider context to understand what the


International
offering entails. Recognition

A probe was made into understanding


each of the offerings, and how they
fare in the system in India. The
primary source for this information
was the India Design Report.

Skill Compass . Continuous Skill Development


Literature Review

“How to regulate the


education quality of new
“The challenge design colleges (Is India

LITERATURE REVIEW for industry is shortage of facing acute shortage


designers with relevant of ‘good’ faculty in
skills and capabilities ” design)?”*

“75 per cent of the industry


“In India, there respondents confirmed
is no standard that they provide additional
definition training or other professional
of the term development to graduates
‘professional in their first year of
designer’. ” employment.”

“..curriculum needs an overhaul to make it


A number of notable findings were which is based on a nationwide survey.
made through literature review. While India’s economy and business more relevant for innovative thought process
Future Of Design Education In India, a offerings are growing, there is a huge
and practical outcome. The respondents expect
paper published by British Council, need for qualified designers to bring
in partnership with India Design good practices to the forefront. The design education to be offered in smaller
Council in 2016, discusses, in detail, paper, as well as expert opinion point
a number of topics outlined in the to some very compelling problems
specialized focus areas that cater to specific
offering map. The paper provides which can be seen as opportunities industry verticals.”
metrics to support the literature for Design education in India.

(Britishcouncil.in, 2016) *(Kothari, 2017)


Literature Review -019

Case Studies Quality


Infrastructure &
Environment

Future
Faculty & Peers
Readiness

Academic
Research labs Personal
Growth
Design

Specialization/
Brand
Specialty

Value Skill
Of Certification Development

Education Course
Structure
Field
Experience

INTRODUCTION METHODOLOGY

In order to have an overview of 1) Srishti Institute of Art, Design Analyzing each case according to the offering of each case, and to present
the state of design education, I and Technology, Bangalore, India. parameters set by the offering map. A best practices prominently.
have selected a five organizations 2)Scuola Del Design, Polimi, graphical representation shows how Following the case studies, a
and institutes in India and Milan, Italy. each institute fares, on a scale of 1 questionnaire based on the same
Europe. By placing the ‘offerings’ 3) The DO School, Berlin, Germany to 5. In the circular offering graph, 1 characteristics will be taken from
as the parameters to analyze the 4) Career Foundry, World Wide being the lowest conformity (inner design companies, to understand which
characteristics of each. Web. most circle) and 5 being the highest of these characteristics is of most value
The choice of institutes are: conformity (outer most circle.) to them, thereby identifying areas of
Although a rating system has been opportunities.
used, it is to understand the value

*(Mapping Complex Information. Theory and Practice, 2016)

Skill Compass . Continuous Skill Development


01 Srishti Institute of Art, Design & technology -021

01 Srishti Institute of Art,


Design & technology

ABOUT

Srishti’s mission is facilitated by This case is important to Infrastructure &


Environment
its organizational structure – a illustrate that design is isolated
Quality Future
“community of learners” comprising in a bubble, even though the Faculty & Peers Readiness

industry-experienced faculty and institute works with government


Academic
energetic students who continually bodies, social issues, academic Research labs Personal
Growth
explore and experiment with art and research etc. There is a lot of
design pedagogies, aesthetics, values research being generated, yet,
and innovative practices. the knowledge is isolated. Skill Brand Specialization/
Specialty
development is not a focus for
WHY Srishti, but intellectual and
personal growth. The low rating Skill
Value
Development
for value of certificate, is due Of Certification
Srishti has a high focus on pedagogy
to problems (across India) with Field
and educating students of the Course experience
accreditation. There is not a well Structure
complexities in the design field.
defined rule book or system that
Although well known in the design
lets design schools decide how to
circle, the brand is not widely
give grades and grant Diplomas.
known. Students take up a variety of
professional roles after graduating
here. Learnings are more horizontal
than vertical.

Skill Compass . Continuous Skill Development


02 Scuola Del Design, Polimi -023

ABOUT

Design, Polimi
Infrastructure &
Environment

02 Scuola Del
In 1993 Milan, with its Politecnico, students are; Brand value, variety Quality Future
Faculty & Peers Readiness
became the elective birthplace of the of disciplines, University career
Degree Course in Industrial Design, service that helps students find Academic
Research labs Personal
the first of its kind in Italy. The opportunities, double degree Growth
Politecnico is a place of avant-garde courses for inter disciplinary
training, a meeting point of different study. There is substantial
Brand Specialization/
cultures. knowledge generated through Specialty

research bodies. The areas in the


WHY map that scored lesser are mainly
Value Skill
areas such as personal growth. Of Certification Development
Politecnico’s school of design is
More specifically, the individual
widely known worldwide and is Field
career path ,specialization and Course Experience
also ranked in the top 10 Design Structure
future readiness in terms of
Schools in the world. Pioneering
skill and job readiness. The fact
in Industrial design courses, the
that the design school itself is
school has grown to offer a number
larger (in capacity) than most
of faculties, such as communication
standard design schools and
design, PSSD, Service design, design
that it is under the umbrella of
for fashion systems etc. The courses
the Politecnico body might feed
are structures in bachelor’s, Master’s
into this
and specialization tracks. Some of the
notable offerings that work well for
Skill Compass . Continuous Skill Development
03 Career Foundry -025

03 Career Foundry

ABOUT
Infrastructure &
Environment
Career Foundry, an on-line service, This is a case study that gives Quality Future
Faculty & Peers
has developed a Job Guarantee us an overview of a specialized Readiness

and Job Preparation course to help education service. It is not a


Academic
students successfully transition into university, but a business that Research labs Personal
Growth
a new career. In the fields of UX, UI, is making its offer in the field
and Web Development CF offers in- of education. From the diagram,
demand skills today to shape one’s it is clear to see that the focus Brand Specialization/
Specialty
career lies in making a student career
ready. The service offers
WHY portfolio reviews, career advice, Value Skill
Of Certification Development
and job guarantee. The courses
are structures in such a way that Course
Field
Since on-line courses and MOOCs Structure
Experience
the assignments are completed
have gained considerable success
at a time-line convenient for the
in the recent past, this case study
students.
illustrates how design topics such as
UX and UI are being taught on-line.
Furthermore, the course prepares it’s
students specifically to adapt to the
demands of professional practice.
The service offers tutors and personal
career specialists.

Skill Compass . Continuous Skill Development


03 Career Foundry -027

04 The DO School
ABOUT
Infrastructure &
Environment

The DO School provides people with there was no single organization Quality Future
Faculty & Peers Readiness
the tools to create change by bringing dedicated to developing those
them together with other visionaries, skills in people and companies Academic
Research labs Personal
impact entrepreneurs and renowned around the world. They decided Growth
experts. Through a mix of our tried to become that organization.
and tested DO School method and
Brand Specialization/
recognized impact innovation tools, The ‘course’ modules are all Specialty

we not only equip students with the of different durations, styles


skills they need to pursue their idea, and intent. Some come as
Value Skill
but to grow as a future leader. challenges, whereas some are Of Certification Development
modules to help build skills
Field
WHY of entrepreneurs. This case is Course
Structure
Experience

important because this is an


organization that has a unique
The DO School was born out of
educational offering that is
research into the implementation
closely linked to the rapidly
skills needed to innovate in a world
growing and changing needs of
of accelerating change. Working on
the world.
this topic with 50 global leaders,
from Nobel Peace Prize nominees to
serial entrepreneurs, they realized

Skill Compass . Continuous Skill Development


Industry Survey -029

ONLINE SURVEY

For getting an overview of the


needs of the industry, interviews
were conducted with a variety of
profiles, with much diversity, to
understand how ‘professional
designers’ are hired, trained,
perceived and valued.

Six professionals were interviewed.


Industry Survey

Their profiles included;


entrepreneur, architect, project
manager working with designers,
design leads and design professor .

The selected candidates were


probed on all the points indicated on
the offering map. They were asked
about their hiring process, outlook
towards designers, working with
designers, design education and
various other aspects in the format
of a conversational interview.

Additionally, to gather quantitative


data, a web-based survey was
conducted both for students and
professionals in order to validate
the points that emerged during the
interviews.

Skill Compass . Continuous Skill Development


Industry Survey -031

The survey was shared through


google forms. Using a rating system
from 1 to 5, the respondents were
asked to indicate which factors
are most important to them while
studying at university. In total,
there were 52 respondents. Below
are some images summarizing the
response. Based on the response,
a map was created in order to
discover patterns.

Skill Compass . Continuous Skill Development


Industry Survey -033

WHAT ARE THE QUALITIES THAT STUDENTS,COMPANIES &


PROFESSIONAL DEMAND VALUE?

Infrastructure &
Environment

Quality Faculty Future


& Peers Readiness

Academic
Research labs Personal
Growth

Specialization/
Brand
Specialty

Value Skill
Of Certification Development

Field
Course Experience
Structure

What do Students Value

Future Job/ Professional


demand Value

Skill Compass . Continuous Skill Development


Industry Survey -035

METHODOLOGY

Interviews
To get deeper into the understanding of with designers, hiring new graduates,
the reality of professional practice, one expectations and experiences that they
on one interviews were conducted. The face in their understanding of design
probe included questions about working as a profession.

INTERVIEW GUIDELINE QUESTIONS


Design

1) Profile, organization & Title 10) What type of designers do you


need in your organization? How do
2) How did you get into the design you find the right candidate?
field?
11)While hiring, how is the response
3) Describe your educational from the other side? Too many/too
background. few applications?

4) What is your current role? Is it 12) Do you use design thinking, agile,
directly related to your studies? lean - or any of these processes in

Professionals
your organization.
5) Do you interact with other
designers? 13) What would your advice to new
graduates and students be?
6) Do you interact with people other
than designers? 14) Can you share any positive
experience while collaborating with
7) If both - do you find any design/non design professional?
differences? Can you describe it?
15) Can you share any negative
8) How do you/your company hire experiences for the same?
designers?
16) Where do you see design
9) What mediums do you use; profession in the next 10 years?
Linkedin, placements, word of mouth
etc.

Skill Compass . Continuous Skill Development


Interviews -037

Shreya Jain
FOUNDER AND PRINCIPAL DESIGNER,
129 DEGREES DESIGN STUDIO

EXCERPTS

What would your advice to new graduates “Hiring will always have
and students be?
Pick up summer internships during
an inescapable element of
or before your grad program. It helps gamble. In my team, I would
require hardworking creative
to scope out and get a real world view
ON PERSONAL CAREER PATH
of where you want to go, helps build
Shreya´s professional role is directly
related to her education in fine arts and
contacts too.
Where do you see design profession in the
individuals who preferably have
visual communication. next 10 years? a visible diversity in their work -
The dynamics of design are closely
ON WORK & COLLABORATION linked with culture and society. I multiple skill sets”
personally feel in 10 years designers will
As a principal designer of a visual design be creating products and services that
and branding studio, she works closely can facilitate or create more products
with visual designers and especially and services, with an altruistic angle to
non-designer clients. them. This would probably make more
She says there are differences in the sense with a diagram!
approach to projects and processes. She
hires talents for her company through ˝...Certainly on more than one occasion
networks and campus placements for I’ve felt the need for a little less loftiness
junior designers. For juniors, she feels and a little more Performance.˝
that more often than not, she needs to
train them during the initial months on ˝People management is absolutely
how to deal with clients and especially critical. For me a clients financial
how to manage the financial side. success based off our work has great
Sometimes the most creative ideas are Value.˝
not the most financially viable ones.

Skill Compass . Continuous Skill Development


Interviews -039

Nicola La Noce
CO-FOUNDER AND PRINCIPAL ARCHITECT
KLN ARCHITECTURE & URBANISM

PROFESSOR
LISAA SCHOOL OF ART & DESIGN

“Learn as much as possible EXCERPTS


& apply what you learn, What would your advice to new graduates
there is not so much value in and students be?
Learn as much as possible. Create your
textbook knowledge. ” ON PERSONAL CAREER PATH
own vision and get ready to have an
Nicola studied architecture and urbanism open mind approach to other ideas.
in Italy and London. He went on to start Most importantly, apply what you learn,
a studio in Bangalore. there is not so much value in textbook
knowledge.
ON WORK & COLLABORATION
Where do you see design profession in the
Starting up a practice, especially in a next 10 years?
different country comes with its share More oriented towards environmental
of challenges. Initially it was difficult aspects and clients oriented. Less
to get urbanism projects which is his personalization in the aesthetics.
focus, but there were a lot of residential
and interior design projects that helped ˝...what I could do with less of -
building a base. Stubbornness and closed mindless ˝
He also teaches architectural design in a
French school in Bangalore. ˝what I enjoy and value - Open minded
In India, he faces different challenges conversations and brainstorming with
than in european countries. Here, the positive intellectual approach˝
mindset is different and people often
want work fast and cheap. Clients too
don’t often see the value in “holistic
good design.”

Skill Compass . Continuous Skill Development


Interviews -041

Akash Hirosh
UX CONSULTANT
DELOITTE DIGITAL, BANGALORE

EXCERPTS

Tell me about your hiring process..What do “..there are a number of


you look for in employees, especially fresh
graduates?
software tutorial crash courses,
The process is pretty streamlined sometimes we hire from there
for mere skill proficiency, to
because we are a large company. Still, the
ON PERSONAL CAREER PATH
recruiters often ask us specifications for
Akash studied graphic design.
current role, though connected to that
His new hires. We require a mix of good skill
and mindfulness. In the past, some new
balance it out, we also hire from
involves more of project management. hires always needed to be given tasks design schools..here we get
and supervised closely, though their CV
ON WORK & COLLABORATION said they were self driven, hands-on thinkers”
and independent...get my drift?
Akash has worked at multiple UX studios
of different scales before his current What do you think about design visibility?
role. He often works with interface Do clients know what designers are capable
designers as well as computer engineers of delivering?
- coders , who implement the products Our recurring clients obviously know
developed by designers. He believes that what we can deliver. I think they know
his knowledge in the coding domain, a lot about UX and since we deliver good
though not trained in it himself, has work, they return for more projects.
brought him a long way. He understands With new or potential clients, the story
better the needs and constraints on both is different. Sometimes the expectation
sides and is able to advice both teams in is not clear, or there is confusion about
order to improve collaboration. This is what they are paying for. Though
still a big challenge because both sides this takes a lot more convincing and
are rigid in their processes and can’t management, it’s pretty great when
change easily. they are happily surprised at the result.

Skill Compass . Continuous Skill Development


Interviews -043

Jadeja
Dushyantsinh
GLOBAL PRODUCT MANAGEMENT LEADER
GOOGLE, BANGALORE

“In India, Design is an EXCERPTS


after-thought. There is Tell me about your hiring process..what do
no dearth of projects, you look for in employees, especially fresh
graduates?
products, but design ON PERSONAL CAREER PATH
Hiring is done on project basis. We hire

is definitely not in the Dushyantsinh is a ‘product


He has his roots in engineering and
guy.’ most designers through design.google.
com. In an ideal situation, we want a mix

forefront, like it should management. He works with designers


quite often.
of designers, developers and managers
per project team. But that’s only ideally..
be.” we do not have enough UX researchers
ON WORK & COLLABORATION in my view. For fresh graduates, they
are automatically integrated into teams
In his day-to-day role, he often woks
so that they can support and learn
with mixed teams. He indicated that
organically.
there is definitely friction. Designers
Coming from a different background, how
work in a different way, look at things
do you feel about working with designers?
more holistically. Engineers look at task
I love it! Personally I know many
efficiency. He also feels these differences
designers and I think you guys are
arise in any sort of team set-up, not
doing a great job. Of course, on a more
just designers and engineers. “Everyone
serious note, I think you guys are doing
should learn to communicate clearly
important work and design cannot come
so that the other team members can
as an after-thought. There are many
empathize. Otherwise it only leads to
companies in India embracing design
inefficiency. The tools may be different,
thinking which is great, but for a nation
the terminology maybe different but if
this large and diverse, some pockets of
the communication is clear - there is no
good design agencies just won’t do!
problem.”

Skill Compass . Continuous Skill Development


Interviews -045

Sudha
Balachandran
DESIGN LEAD
JIGSAW ACADEMY

“..since we are a small team, my


design thinking concepts within the
team. While this is highly appreciated
by the team, in reality the product is
already launched and therefore urgent
work often goes beyond the job
needs end up being dealt with with description. Apart from design,
quick-fixes.
ON PERSONAL CAREER PATH I do events, and even content
Sudha studied visual communication
and continued in the same path to
EXCERPTS development.”
Since you work mainly with non-designers,
become a UX designer. She currently
what are some difficulties you (and they)
works at a product company - meaning
face in day-to-day activities?
a single-offering company that deals
Well, this might seem silly but I’ve had
with educational tutorials. She has
to unlearn a lot since I started here.
worked at another product company as
For one, I use power-point for my
well as at a consultancy.
presentations and a lot of excel to track
ON WORK & COLLABORATION tasks. As a designer, I feel I could do a
lot more, and better if I had my favorite
Sudha works as a Design Lead in a
handy tools. But the reality is that both
organization consisting of 10 to 12
clients and co-workers need accessible
employees in total. Being the only
files, so that’s the way it has to be.
designer in the team becomes quite a
From their side maybe they think I’m
challenge. It is not only while working
too demanding or perfectionist, because
with clients, but also internally in the
I have to make sure that modules are
organization. She indicates that having
coded and implemented the way I
a clear service framework (since Jigsaw
envision them. Also, since we are a
is a service offering) would solve half
small team, my work often goes beyond
the problems. Instead, she puts in a
what’s on my job description.
lot of effort just training or explaining

Skill Compass . Continuous Skill Development


Interviews -047

Sitanshu
Shukla
DESIGN HEAD
EUREKA MOMENT DESIGN CO. LTD.

“ ..Picked up the skills I needed EXCERPTS


after college on the job..” What are some situations where you felt the
divide?

ON PERSONAL CAREER PATH I don’t talk about Design related stuff as


much with the non Designers as much
Sitanshu calls himself a self-taught I discuss work with Designers. It’s a bit
designer. He has a background in geology difficult to explain to non Designers to
and gravitated towards design after a make them understand the kind of work
summer working under a designer. we do. Designers in India are either
“fashion designers” and Interior
ON WORK & COLLABORATION Designers. In India, more consolidated
but also corporatised to a large extent.
Sitanshu is the design head at a multi-
I myself know as much as I do, only
disciplinary firm. Being a self taught
because I consciously tried to understand
designer, he has a great overview of
the design world.
the design world both from inside and
outside. He mentions that design is too
How do you hire designers?
self centered and self involved. There
I look for a preferable attitude in junior
is a need to start accepting people
resources and collaborators. Skill and
from different walks into the design
training is a lot more than knowledge
profession to make it more robust and
or software prowess. Most of my
most importantly even more relevant.
partnerships are the result of word of
mouth or personal recommendations.
But we also use online platforms like
facebook ads and Linkedin.

Skill Compass . Continuous Skill Development


Excerpts -049

“A number of tuition centers


“It is not clear how much
have appeared, that provide
to pay a graphic or UX
“Where are design only software skills. The skills
“I have not heard of designer (or any). Quality
thinkers in the sure help, but students lack
this Design School, But control is difficult.
government intrinsic design thinking
degrees hardly matter,
sector!? ” basics”
the work matters
most.”

“. .only sometimes clients


“Design school don’t understand..”
“I am the only designer in
“Design profession is
graduation shows
a service-offering business
not all glamour, but
are usually where we
which could definitely use
universities still seem
interface with young
user-centric design, and even
to teach ornamental
talent”
make profits eventually if
design”
there were more designers”

“While working with designers,


it is sometimes difficult to
understand the terminologies
Excerpts and methods .”
From interviews, chats
and literature review.

Skill Compass . Continuous Skill Development


Excerpts -051

“What skills are


“..at GDS, we often end up
mentioned on the
hiring non (service) designers,
CV seldom matches
“Design is often because we need result oriented “My school has all these
the real deal”
an after-thought people” classes that I don’t see

in India” any value - why should


I sketch if I want to be a
sound designer?”

“Only after completing


internships and volunteer “I still don’t
work I feel equipped to be a understand what a
“As a professor,
designer - After school I was designer is. If it’s not
I find it difficult
lost ” fashion or interior
to show my
- it goes over my
potential within
head”
the university
“In our studio, we don’t
structure due to
hire by degree , but by
the un-matched “Design studios do a lot of what skills they possess,
standards” facilitation - that’s a practice what is their personality,
all designers should do!” and why they are a good
part to the team.”
Excerpts
From interviews, chats
and literature review. (Louise Downe. Service design Show, 2017)

Skill Compass . Continuous Skill Development


Excerpts -053

CURRENT SYSTEM

Summary
After surveying various design At the same time, companies,
schools and the Indian professional start-ups or even entrepreneurial
design landscape, a number of designers cannot expect that every
compelling observations were design-educated person will fulfill
Research

made. By analyzing ‘offerings’, the specific profile, in terms of


insights and findings were not skill, expertise and personality,
limited to the synthetic layer of that is expected from the loosely
the offer that each organization used word “professional Designer.”
promotes. It provided some
valuable insights into the values From the research, it is evident
and problems that are embedded that design as a discipline is only
into the system. On the one hand, gaining more and more value. The
educational universities cannot number of types of designers are

Findings hope to impart expertise in every


aspect that is deemed valuable in
the design world. According to
also increasing with time. Even
in India, the discipline is gaining
popularity , though in a top-down
each university and its core values, manner where corporates and
certain characteristics are given start-ups are embracing it first,
more weightage than others. followed by government and Social
organizations.

Skill Compass . Continuous Skill Development


Analysis -055

FINDINGS creating frameworks for designing 5) Skill development & Future


for the public sector, it can be said Readiness - most valued?
that many of these initiatives work Referring to image (X) where the
to implement innovation in the craft value of offerings are mapped from
A number of interesting findings can a special skill and talent to transfer this and MSME sectors like Design Clinic the students’ and professionals’ point
be derived from the interviews, surveys understanding to the non-design speakers. Scheme. These demand designers with of view, an interesting analysis can
and desk research conducted. specific capabilities such as research, be made. The two characteristics that
2) I versus Us. industrial design, textile design etc. both parties value most are in the
Firstly, from the perspective of the Although this is old news, it is still There are a number of other areas areas of Future Readiness and Skill
design landscape in India, it is evident very relevant that team-work trumps - owing to the country’s massive Development. It can be argued that one
that design, no matter the typology, is individual work in the design world. service sector, that can gain value of the main reason education exists is
a valuable skill and knowledge asset for The last decade has seen growing from a design thinking perspective. to equip students for the future - may
the transformation the nation is facing. use of multi-disciplinary teams, co- It is especially interesting to note that it be for life skills or career expertise.
Many companies are practicing design creation and a sense of needing to build the number of digital touch-points and So it is not a surprise that these two
thinking and user centered approaches great teams. This means that the way services are spreading to every corner characteristics go hand in hand.
in some capacity, often, without even skills are perceived should also ideally be of the country and it is important to
knowing that there are professionals challenged. implement systems before they become 5) Soft Skills, who’s
who have expertise in these fields, who unregulated. responsible?
can produce efficient results. Some 3) Integration between Developing soft skills are important for
of the most compelling findings are disciplines. any individual, to interact with other
discussed below; As a result of the previous point, it individuals effectively. An interesting
is also evident that designers find it insight from the research shows that
1) Designers in a bubble. challenging to adapt to non-design centric these skills, admittedly not purely

Analysis
While there is a growing number work-flows (and vice-versa). One of the related to design, are not ‘taught’
of design schools and companies parties often has to compromise their extensively either in university, or in
demanding the abilities of designers (of contribution. a professional environment. Each body
various typologies), there aren’t many Additionally, even collaboration passes the ball either to the student, or
non-designers who understand the between designers is not always expect them to have learnt it in school,
full expanse of what a designer can do. efficient and smooth. In each team, home or somewhere else. So who’s
Newer design roles such as strategic there is often imbalance of skills and really responsible to impart these life
design, customer centric design and expertise. skills?
service design are comprehended
somewhat interchangeably. Designers 4) Co-Working with
often find it easier to understand each Government.
other and communicate more efficiently While organizations such as NID and
because of common jargon, but it takes Association of designers in India are

www.designclinicsmsme.org

Skill Compass . Continuous Skill Development


Opportunity / challenge Areas -057

Digital student
compass
Collaboration
toolkit
Making design
visible: magazine, New way to share
Designers in a bubble: pod-cast, vlog. design work with
companies.
How to equip designers to break out and
make design visible and understandable
outside the design circle
Opportunity / challenge

Personal career Low-tech designer


development toolkit: triggering
I versus Us & Integration: service, designers to use
embedded into basic language &
How to enable future designers to work design schools common tools to
efficiently within multiple work-flows and
push an idea.
be efficient while working in teams.
Designers Debate:
Skill based
Platform for
learning system
design students to
build confidence
Skill development: and public
speaking
How can design students learn both soft
and hard skills to adapt to future needs as a Skill-share
professional designer. -community of
students and
professors exchanging
skills
Areas

Standardization of
design for government
In-uni rituals and manifesto
meet-ups for
interdisciplinary co-
working
Gamified skill
development

Digital
Mentor system:
student-mentor 1 to 1
advice.
Skill Compass . Continuous Skill Development
Concept -059

SKILL COMPASS

Scho
ol » A skill based service system that gives
pass students access discover extra-syllabus
Concept
o m
Skill
C
ol ID » skills according to their desired personal
Scho

login » Paul
Maya Desig
Graph
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gn B en
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esign into the current university would be beneficial during projects


l of d kill
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Ma ya Pa sign.W structure. It can be adapted by of his regular study plan, she/he
ic De s
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Skills Cours
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integrating skill-learning into
Add y d skills pa s
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every classroom, project or lab, Additionally, the service provides
com mend
Course Re without needing additional time an in-class card based toolkit
ve
to ha
Skill

’s
maya s Good
or effort to standardize the skill which the professors can use as
as
comp
s learning path. triggers during discussions and
mend
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Compass
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’s to ha rses
maya s
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com pa Sugg L
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»

C o d i n touchpoint for the students. By The solution is scalable and


hool IXDse
m 1.00
At sc + having an overview of the skills they adaptable to different frameworks.
ign 1.03
f des CS se
m
h ool o + have, are currently developing, and Therefore, with regards to this
Paul R Sch
Maya Design . W m 1.04
CS se
Graph
ic + r s need to develop - in the course of thesis, the solution is not fixed to
ep rovide
er cours their selected program (bachelors, any specific school or country. The
umen Partn
ss Ac
usine masters, track etc.) , they are able research involved a lot of insights
B

ing HT
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Cod
inking however, the solution as illustrated
al Th
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It is not feasible, nor beneficial, below, can be adapted to various
ends
e Rec
omm for anyone to learn all skills. school and cultural frameworks.
Cours
ve
’s to ha Therefore, the skill compass is a
maya s Good
as
comp suggestive tool. When a student is

Skill Compass . Continuous Skill Development


Concept -061

WHAT IS SKILL COMPASS?


Skill Compass provides
students a customizable list
of must-have and good to
Skill lab & Skill Compass:
have skills for their holistic
Skill compass is a service provided to
development.
students by the university or design
school. Since design schools come

Service Framework
in various typologies and scales,
as observed during the research
phase, the system is designed to be
adapted into various frameworks.

The (primary) user The Concept Under ideal circumstances, where the
design school has the infrastructure
Skill compass is a PSS embedded into
and resources, the skill compass is
design schools. Based on a set of selected
Student attending skills, it encourages the users to take only one (main) touch point offering
design school. control of their professional development. of the Skill Lab.

The skill lab is a dedicated body


The stakeholders How it works
that conducts research and projects
»Students learn about the various skill regarding skill development. The
University
tracks during the orientation week. members, who are professors,
Management
»They use the skill compass on their
student profile to have a graphic overview. research assistants and students,
External coaching/ »Professors indicate which skills can be actively create knowledge around this
certification learnt/needed within their course module.
businesses topic. They prepare and contribute
»Skill compass uses partnerships to
provide discounts to students to learn skill themes to the database. The
specific soft and hard skills. interesting thing about skills is that
Professors
skill development and learning are
subjective to each specific topic.
The learning methods cannot be

Skill Compass . Continuous Skill Development


Service Framework -063

standardized. For this reason, it is most cases, the platform will already Skill Compass
important to pool knowledge into have student data, study plan, courses
skill development at large, and how
students can best learn them.
etc. Skill compass will have the input
from professors to add skill-tags to
»
School
The skill lab will benefit both the
students and the university.
extracting information from course
By
each university module, thus giving a
n easy overview of skills that students
will potentially learn.
login » School ID»
providers and professors, the
university will have an overview about
THE TOUCH-POINTS
the course modules and the potential Maya Paul Maya Paul Maya Paul
Graphic Design . WR Schhool of design Graphic Design . WR Schhool of design Graphic Design . WR Schhool of design
skills students will have access to.

Online Skill Compass


Long Term
personal profile for
student. Leadership

SKILL COMPASS: THE SERVICE

»
(Integrated to university Add your Soft Skill
profile) desired skills

Design Business

The service is provided through a plug- Hard Skills


Acumen

in webapp. The skill compass can be Skill Lab in university


(optional)
accessed by students and professors
using their university credentials. It is
Skill Compass maya’s Course Recommends maya’s Course Recommends maya’s Course Recommends
offered as a web plug-in which is also compass compass compass
manifesto. Good to have Good to have Good to have
adapted to mobile phone dimensions,
giving it an app like functionality
In-class toolkit
without forcing students to download
yet another app. Suggested courses
Maya Paul

Platform
Skill Compass Coding HTML

»
Graphic Design . WR Schhool of design
Since the access to the platform is university coordinator
At school
through the university profile, in
+ CS sem1.03 + IXDsem1.00
Skill Compass Business Acumen
university advisor + CS sem1.04

»
The

Coding HTML
Partner course providers

Critical Thinking

maya’s Course Recommends


Classroom Toolkit -065

Card deck that contains triggers for students to


use by themselves, or professors can choose to
use appropriate cards according to the needs of
the class. IMAGINE CARD
Each skill will have some
Oral categories that are specific to the
Communication
skill.

Each card is sorted according to


types. Task and imagine cards Each category will have at least 5
will be common to all skills. triggers associated with it. This
IMAGINE THAT YOU HAVE TO
EXPLAIN YOUR IDEA/PROJECT TO allows for flexibility of use.
Oral They are either actionable little YOUR GRANDPARENTS. WHAT
Communication tasks or thought triggers. WORDS WILL YOU USE? WHAT
For example, each group in a
TERMS WONT THEY
UNDERSTAND?
classroom might receive 1 stage
card prior to a presentation. Each
group will have different rules
but every group can learn tricks
Classroom Toolkit

Ability to express ideas and


after watching their colleagues
descisions clearly. Ability to
use appropriate language and perform
terminology. Emphasis and
Impact.

CAR D
STAGE STAGE CARD
ARD
GE C
Oral
S TA Oral
Communic
ation
ation
TASK CARD Com munic

Oral l
Communication Ora cation
muni
Com
DURING YOU
Oral TAKE CHEAT-
R PRESENTA
TION,
Communication T H E S HEETS WITH
TO U NAPOLOGET YOU.
PERSON 1: J E CT ARE T HE NOTES TO
ICALLY REFE
R TO
EXPLAIN YOUR CONCEPT TO YOUR U R PRO HERE MAKE YOUR
T C
T YO URE ONS ROUP ASE, BOT - THE NOTES A
PARTNER WITHIN 5 MINUTES -
R E SEN AKE S VENTI E B E R O F THE G OGUIDELIN RE JUST
EMPHASIZE THE MAIN POINTS TO P S. M INTE R T TH ITH Y MEM S E NT T ES, DO NOT
A S P E V E R P R E THEM. USE T R E A D OFF
EQUIP THEM TO PITCH IT. CL AST 3 PROM ACT W S T URNS T
O HEM TO STR
. 15 MINS . L E U E R A T A K E YOUT SPEEC U CTURE
AT RE YO O INT ...ASK UN- HE GROUP. H
H E E T N O L T
. 2 PER TEAM . W IENC IO R A V
PERSON 2: TAT
. TASK CARD . PREPARE AN ELEVATOR PITCH FOR AUD PRESEN ALL FO IVE!
C
YOUR COLLEGUE’S IDEA.SELL IT! THE STION, CREAT
. DESIGN E E
QU ETC. B
R
COMMUNICATION . TEE

Skill Compass . Continuous Skill Development


The Skill profiles -067

Skill tags are created by the skill lab (if


infrastructure allows) or predefined
in the Skill Compass. Long term
gradual learning
The skills are categorized into three
main levels. Long term gradual
learning, Actionable soft skills and
actionable hard skills.

The skill compass has the data about


these skill categories, skills within
them and necessary steps to take, in
order to hone a certain skill.

Leadership Collaboration Critical


Thinking
WHY THESE SKILLS?
The Skill profiles

The skill compass provides a database Ability to take Ability to work Ability to take
of important skills that have been control, influence efficiently with control, influence
collegues , make others. Share collegues , make
sourced through various methods responsibility. Adapt
decscision , Inspire decscisions,
of research. Professionals who and motivate. to new workflows, Inspire and
were interviewed highlighted skills accommodate motivate.
different points of
they appreciate or wish that their
views.
employees had. Research conducted by
universities contributed to the profiles
- A recent Politecnico PSSD course
advisory meeting drafted out skills
that they believe service designers
should have. P21’s Framework for
Design Business
21st Century Learning was developed Acumen
with input from teachers, education
experts, and business leaders to
Long term gradual learning - these are
define and illustrate the skills and Ability to assess
skills that one has to invest time into.
knowledge students need to succeed design work in terms
of financial These skills are the most challenging
in work, life and citizenship, as well
implications. Ability to aquire because they take practice,
as the support systems necessary for to make monetary conscious effort and sometimes bigger
21st century learning outcomes. forcasts and business interventions.
strategy.

(PSSD_Advisory Board_Activities)

Skill Compass . Continuous Skill Development


The Skill profiles -069

Hard Skills are accessible and more specific. These


Actionable skills are taught in various schools, coaching
hard skills institutes and also virtually. It requires dedication
and practice. Talent is an added benefit
Actionable
Soft skills

Design tools & Coding & Creative Photography &


software coding film

Oral
Self-Motivation Time
Communication
Management 3d modelling, Adobe Knowledge of one Technical
suite, Sketch, AR, & or more coding know-how of
Multiple software languages. camera equipment
correlating to area of and how to use
Ability to express Having the positive Manage work study. them. Framing and
ideas and attitude and the schedules, have filming techniques.
descisions initiative to work awareness of
clearly. Ability to well without amount of time a
use appropriate round-the-clock task would take,
language and supervision. especially after
terminology. gauging personal
competence.

Technology Finance
Litracy Litracy

Actionable soft skills - these skills are not concrete,


Facilitation or have no concrete way of learning them. It is
Ability to grasp new Ability to be financially
however possible to take action in the direction of
and emerging empowered towards
these skills and achieve success within a shorter technologies and design work. Knowing
time frame and cost, provided it is the right type of inherently costs for printing,
Ability to facilitate understand their building, prototyping
training.
design jams, events potential etc. Ability to make cost
and workshops. Ability applications. estimations. Knowledge
to moderate other of salary levels.
individuals to follow
the process designers
know.
Skill Compass . Continuous Skill Development
How Does It Work -071

HOW DOES IT WORK? SYSTEM MAP

The Skill Compass is a platform designed to adapt into


any design school structure. The MVP of this touchpoint
consists of the web / app platform which is embedded
into each university’s internal website or student profile.
The platform already has a database of skills which are Design
Student
in the form of tags. Professors ‘tag’ their class modules School
according to the skills that students can potentially learn.

New skills will be updated by the Skill Compass


by analyzing additional skills that professors indicate.
This way it is a growing database.

Skill Student
On the student profile, the users have a graphic overview Professor Compass volunteer
about the skills they are learning, and additional ones
a b
that might be beneficial to them under the ‘good to have’ S k ill L
section.

When a student is advised to or interested in learning a


skill NOT offered in their default path, the skill compass
gives them a number of ways they can go about it. Either Internal Skill training/
the skill is offered by another track in the same university, courses MOOCs

or offered by external coaching classes or MOOCs. In case


of paid courses, the students are offered special prices
due to partnership between the coaching service and the
university. In an ideal situation, each university can set up
a skill lab where specific research activities are carried out
Information flow
into defining skills and more importantly, methodologies
Material (knowledge) flow
to learn them. The skill lab takes student volunteers and
Money flow
Professors to create this knowledge base.

Skill Compass . Continuous Skill Development


How Does It Work -073

BUSINESS MODEL

KEY PARTNERS KEY RESOURCES

Design schools The platform


Tutorial class providers The classroom toolkit
MOOCS The Skill Lab

VALUE PROPOSITION
KEY ACTIVITIES OWNERSHIP
Tagging skills to courses (p) Having a personalized overview of skills for career
Using skill card development - knowing what they don’t know
triggers in class(p) they need professionally (s)
Skill Compass is created and developed development” section would be based
World-of-work view - discovering career paths for
Creating skill path(s)
current set of skills (s) as a stand alone entity by a company on the skill compass platform.
Enrolling in relavant course(s) Variety of courses, in and outside of university (s)
or developed as a service start-up. In case a university is interested in
Discounts on MOOCs and tutorials(s)
Being part of Skill Lab(p)(s) The development is done based on having a skill lab, they can buy the
Working with partners (p)(s) Having a framework based on skill develpment for
new course modules (p) the skills defined at this point -and skill compass as a whole, which
Managing the platform(sc)
Help of Skill cards to engage with large classrooms a major feature would be to be able means they will have access to adjust
Updating new skills(sl)
where one-on-one time is limited (p)
to increase the database as and when and alter the platform according to
Having students graduate with industry ready more skills are wholly defined. their structure and framework, and
knowledge and skills (u)
Partnering with other organizations monetarily add features.
COST STRUCTURE
and practically(u) The idea is to prototype this solution This does not mean that rights are sold
Platform devlopment and Offer own MOOCs to a wider audience(if any) (u)
with one of the universities I have to the university too. Skill compass
maintainence (sc)
Sales and promotion to been to, or find another university. can sell it’s service to multiple
universities (sc) The main goal of the prototyping universities. The platform will also

CUSTOMER CHANNELS would be to work out how to integrate have the ‘university admin’ who will
RELATIONSHIP the platform into an existing digital have the section(in the platform)
REVENUE STREAMS Self Service The platform presence of the university. Will it be where they can contact tutorial centers
Free access (s)(p) Automated Classrooms a section on their website? Do they and work out partnership deals.
Paid Subscription to University Advisor in case on Skill Lab have an app?
OR assistance
There is always an advisor who the
Purchase of the platform and
integrated with skill lab. Skill compass would be a service university in charge can contact for
Sale of toolkit (outside
CUSTOMER SEGMENTS provider for the university. For business/technical talk. The students
subscription) Design students
example, many universities use and professors do not have any direct
Students who know their skills but don’t
know how to position themselves. Microsoft 365 or Gmail as the platform contact with the Skill compass team.
Career/placement wing of the university. on which their own e-mail system is
based. In this manner, the “career

(s) Student
(p) Professor (Sl) Skill Lab
(u)University (Sc) Skill Compass
Skill Compass . Continuous Skill Development
Market -075

LINKEDIN LEARNING

Linkedin aquired Lynda - an online tutorial


platform. Since then, Linkedin has a by-
product called Linkedin Learning where it’s
users can subscribe and pay for online courses.
Some of them are even certified. Once these
EXISTING SOLUTIONS
courses are completed, they appear on your
profile as achievements.
While developing this project, I did
not come across many services that
come under the same or similar
offering. Of course there were some
interesting cases that fall under the
education umbrella.

From my market scan, I found that


the theme of skill learning has
many products and services, but not
specifically targeted at University
students, especially Design school.
Some like linkedin learning is open to
a much larger audience and some are
specific to certain ages.
Market

One of the unique features of skill


compass as opposed to other solutions
is that it is personalized. At the risk
of using this buzz word, it feels like
some services need to be personalized,
and some not. Personal career and
continuous learning, according to ones
own interest and passion, is definitely
worth customizing a platform for.

Skill Compass . Continuous Skill Development


Market -077

TEACHERVISION

“Higher test scores. Better graduation rates. Increased lifetime


earning potential. Incorporating social-emotional learning and
character education into K-12 classrooms improves students’ lives—
measurably. . . . we have culled our broad and diverse collection of
skills into nine domains we call FutureFit.”

NATIONAL SKILLS ACADEMY - UK

This is a framework of social-emotional-learning or SEL which “Creative & Cultural Skills gives young people opportunities to
some schools in the US are adopting. The target is much younger, work and learn in the creative industries. We are an independent
and they encourage students to use this method of learning while charity that provides careers advice and guidance, promotes
in school. apprenticeships, and delivers activities for young people through
our National Skills Academy network of industry and education
supporters.”

This organization provides personal support and uses the platform


of advertisement to spread the word about new courses and classes
that can help students learn skills. These skills are both creative
and cultural.

Skill Compass . Continuous Skill Development


Opportunities -079

OPPORTUNITIES
CONCLUSION
As indicated in earlier chapters, definitely has more impact when it is
the skill compass is only a single embedded into an existing university
touchpoint platform, which has been framework, but that is only owing to Skill Compass was one of the ways that the
elaborated in this thesis. It has the the fact that students are already in research analysis could be taken forward.
potential to grow in exponential ways the frame of mind for learning. The The overall theme demands a high level
if we think about the other touch- user base could be framed differently. of understanding and attention. As It was
points and stakeholders involved in and made available to anyone who mentioned in the abstract, one small spectrum
this PSS. To look ahead, there are a wants to learn. of the possibilities was taken up to demonstrate
number of ways this platform can how a PSS can be conceived.
develop and bring in much value 3) Partnerships The platform enables organizations to provide
to educational models. Below, I list One of the features of the skill it’s students an added layer of knowledge.
down some areas in which I visualize compass is that it provides the user a This kind of learning can and should happen
the vision for this humble app. number of options on where they can continuously for every individual who wants
learn a selected skill. The university to grow and evolve as a designer and a person.
1) Skill Lab. will make valuable partnerships in The more one starts to pay attention to their
The skill lab by itself has a great this way. Both economically and personal development, and take responsibility
potential. When design schools start practically, these partnerships can
for it, they become invaluable assets to the
thinking of designers’ development add to the learning experience.
company they will work for or the organization
holistically, skills are one of the best
they would start.
way to have measurable impact. The 4) Focus where it matters
As mentioned earlier, the number of types of
idea of having a knowledge base By having students become aware
designers is increasing as fast as the industry
for this theme and having talented of their personal development, and
is transforming. This puts designer’s in a
students and professors collaborate partners teach certain skills (like hard
place either where they find it hard to position
on projects and publications will skills), each design school can focus
themselves, or where they are free to adopt any
have impact both on the university on spreading the design knowledge
title under the basic umbrella. To make sure
and the future designers. and philosophy they believe in with
more efficiency and allow the rest to that there is not a mismatch, it is always good

2) The Platform. be taken care of in parallel. for every individual to know their abilities and
There is an opportunity for the skills. The skill platform empowers designers
platform to be stand-alone. It to take control of their profession development
holistically.

Skill Compass . Continuous Skill Development


Bibliography -081

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[online] Ccskills.org.uk. Available at: https:// Thank you
ccskills.org.uk/supporters/blog/educating-
designers-and-designing-education Grazie
Vielen Dank
धन्यवाद
நன்றி

Skill Compass . Continuous Skill Development

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