Teaching Beyond the Curriculum

Abstract

Learning through immersive experiences in the built environment allows students the opportunity to experience and connect firsthand to spaces at a human scale accelerating their learning. Through an intensive six-week summer course a multi-disciplinary group of students was taught the value of Brand in the environment, the impact of Experiential Graphic Design, and how to recognize successful wayfinding. The design course was taught abroad with non-native language-speaking students immersed in a new culture and country for the first time. The multi-disciplinary group of students had little to no design background, but their primary concentration of study could have intersections with design in the future. Examples could be supporting disciplines like marketing, policy, or engineering, which were all present in the class. The course began with a lecture in a classroom setting discussing an introduction and overview of Branding and how it connects users to spaces. Shortly after the students are introduced to wayfinding strategies and what creates successful navigation of spaces. After a guided digital presentation of three built commercial spaces, that have an exhibition of Branding, an element of Experiential Graphic Design, and employ a form of wayfinding, the students are now ready to be immersed in the built environment to experience these first-hand. The presentation will detail the student experience with Sports Design at a football stadium, wayfinding at a highly trafficked transit station, exhibit design at a globally recognized science museum, and the consumer experience in both retail and hospitality Branding.