Strate School of Design, founded in 1993, is a renowned design school known for its emphasis on practical, socially responsible design. With campuses in Paris and Bengaluru, Strate fosters creativity, critical thinking, and innovation in its curriculum. Steered by Dean Thomas Dal, a design industry veteran with over two decades of experience, Strate's curriculum prioritizes human-centered projects, frugal design, and social and environmental responsibility. Dal's experience in design innovation and leadership, gained at companies such as Treves and Decathlon, shapes this focus. His diverse background in managing projects across transportation, product, space, and experience design enables him to cultivate the next generation of design leaders at Strate.
In this article, Dal shares his perspective on Strate's approach to design education, highlighting how it prepares students to tackle pressing global challenges. The article explores examples of student projects that showcase Strate's emphasis on sustainable and community-driven solutions. This article provides a clear view of how Strate's commitment to innovation and social impact is influencing the world of design and shaping a brighter future.
Discover more insights in the article below:
Strate School of Design stands out in the design education landscape with its unique approach. Strate embraces a forward-thinking approach that diverges from conventional methods, empowering designers to address urgent global challenges rather than relying heavily on standardised tests. Strate has a long and impressive 30-year history, with campuses in Paris and Bangalore. The institution is committed to nurturing a unique set of skills, a particular mindset, and a strong sense of social awareness in its students. The ultimate goal is to empower them to make a meaningful impact on society.
Strate firmly believes in the inherent potential of every individual. The admissions process places a strong emphasis on recognising and fostering the innate creativity, unwavering determination, and limitless energy of its students. By conducting in-depth interviews and thought-provoking assessments, they embrace diversity and nurture talent that goes beyond traditional academic measures. This emphasis on cultivating future design leaders with a comprehensive set of skills establishes the foundation for a revolutionary educational journey.
"Frugal design" is a fundamental principle of Strate's design philosophy. Regardless of the title, the focus is not on restrictions; it revolves around embracing ingenuity, effectiveness, and environmental consciousness as fundamental values. Strate empowers students to develop creative solutions for real-world challenges, even when faced with limited resources, by fostering a mindset that emphasizes critical thinking and problem-solving. Frugal design extends beyond mere cost-effectiveness and considers the entire lifecycle of a product, from sourcing materials to finding solutions for its end-of-life. This promotes a profound understanding of social and environmental accountability among students.
Strate School of Design carefully evaluates the social impact of its design projects. Building upon the findings of "What Impact? In "A Framework for Measuring the Scale and Scope of Social Performance," the assessment goes beyond a basic headcount. The project's reach, depth, and duration of impact are carefully considered. Reach and depth are two important factors to consider when evaluating the impact of a project. The term "reach" denotes the quantity of individuals impacted by the project, while "depth" gauges the degree of transformation these individuals undergo. Ultimately, the duration of the project takes into account the broader perspective of its sustainability and scalability, guaranteeing lasting benefits for the community.
At Strate, the focus is on human-centred design and co-creation. This approach places a strong emphasis on considering the needs and aspirations of the community at every stage of the design process. Strate places great importance on involving end users and gathering feedback throughout the design process to ensure that its projects have a significant impact on the communities they serve.
In addition, Strate urges students to embrace a holistic approach to thinking. This requires a thorough examination of the broader consequences of a product's interaction with political, economic, cultural, and environmental systems. Through this approach, designers can guarantee that their projects are environmentally conscious and morally responsible. By taking a comprehensive approach, they are able to uncover the underlying issues and focus on the most crucial areas for action, thus maximising the effectiveness of their efforts.
The Strate School of Design places great emphasis on the significance of sharing design project outcomes to enhance their positive influence on society and create solutions that can be expanded and duplicated. Designers play a crucial role in creating an inclusive, accessible, and sustainable future for everyone by sharing their knowledge.
Recognising the importance of continuous learning, Strate provides a wide variety of programmes designed to meet the unique needs and career stages of individuals. The Master's programmes offered by the institution enable students to explore specific design disciplines in greater depth, honing their skills to effectively address intricate challenges with meticulousness. In addition, our institute promotes a dynamic culture of ongoing learning by hosting frequent workshops and lectures led by respected designers and influential thinkers.
In a world that is constantly becoming more complex, Strate remains dedicated to pushing the limits of design education in order to make a positive impact on society. Strate prepares future design leaders to tackle tomorrow's challenges by incorporating innovative technologies such as blockchain and virtual reality. With a focus on social responsibility, Strate fosters creativity, empathy, and a problem-solving mindset. The vision extends beyond the creation of visually appealing or practical designs; it revolves around utilising the potential of design to drive positive social transformation.
The projects undertaken by students at Strate clearly demonstrate their approach's impact. Graduates from Strate are actively making a positive impact on the world through their design work. They are involved in projects such as designing sustainable water filtration systems for developing communities, developing educational tools for underprivileged children, and crafting low-cost prosthetic limbs to improve accessibility. These projects demonstrate the profound impact of combining design thinking with a strong sense of social responsibility.
Ultimately, Strate School of Design serves as a compelling illustration of the profound impact that education and design can have. Strate's distinctive approach enables designers to play a pivotal role in making a global impact by connecting creative vision with practical solutions. Strate is dedicated to fostering the development of future design leaders who will contribute to a fair, sustainable, and inclusive future for everyone as the challenges facing humanity continue to change.
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