デザイン教育とメディアリテラシー

抄録

Due to advancements in digital techniques centering on computer and telecommunication technologies, the social environment we find ourselves in is changing tremendously, with all types of elements of our society being trans-formed into media which delivers infor-mation. Children born into this world and growing up in this society in the future must be able to deal with the results of these trends. The ability to read, understand and sort through information received from the media-the skill of media literacy-will Cbecome even more vital in the future.
As an element that fosters media literacy, design education has the potential to play an important role. Nowadays, design is regarded as important in order to link and communicate between all the elements that constitute society (people, things and information). Design has been devised and developed for the sake of better communication. For instance, in the process of developing and manufacturing products, the forms of products are designed so that they will clearly present the aims and functions of those products to consumers. Then, in the process of merchandizing products, a variety of advertisements are designed for promotional use. Additionally, in the fields of broadcasting and publication, information is designed so that it can be conveyed broadly and efficiently. Visually communica-tive designs are recognized as important, particularly so for interfaces that connect information and consumers. Thus, designs that are deeply established in modern society in addition to being connected to all kinds of media can be regarded as appropriate materials from which to learn media literacy.
From this perspective, examination into the current context of design education will be provided, followed by suggestions about how design education should be developed from hereon, for the purpose of educating personnel who are to lead the advanced information society.