The MFA is the new MBA—Literally

In the summer of 2011 I enthusiastically attended the UCDA Design Education conference that was hosted by New Jersey City University. Below is the abstract for the paper which you can find here.

In 2008, when I first read these words by Daniel Pink, “The MFA is the new MBA,” I immediately understood the impact that this statement would have on the design profession and, in turn, on the future of design education. Three years later they have taken on a whole new meaning, as I am experiencing first hand in my graduate level teaching. For the past two quarters my students and I are utilizing the vaunted “case study” as a pedagogical tool, having dove head first into dozens of pages of data as well as numerous videos to ask new questions and seek innovation through designerly thinking means.

My intention with this paper/presentation is to discuss the increased use of case studies as a tool for design study. With an open mind I began a new road into the teaching of design thinking through the open case studies provided by the Yale School of Management (and the Design Observer). The use of case studies as a means of learning is, historically, something that was typically utilized by students of law and business, but not by designers. So it was with great trepidation (and intrigue) I began this ‘experiment’. “What could be learned through the access to raw data and video interviews?”, “What connections could we make in relation to design problem solving?”, and, “What ‘design’ outcomes would come of this study?” were all questions that I had going into this endeavor. What I hope to share are some outcomes, successful and otherwise.