Inheritance and development of traditional culture : a new path for design education reform in China

Abstract

The current design education in China seems to be focusing on "quick success and instant benefit". The inheritance and sustainability of Chinese traditional culture are not the priority and emphases. There is a problem worthy of reflection in design education in the context of China culture, that is, the break-down between design education and traditional Chinese culture. On the whole, the design education on mainland China can be characterized by "learning from western experiences but not inheriting Chinese culture". This worrying situation, in the long run, will inevitably lead to the "silent" aphasia of Chinese design science in the face of international dialogue, which can't reflect China's unique cultural strength, thus leaving design education in China out of the mainstream of design education in the world. Although this situation has improved in recent years, it has not been fundamentally changed. Therefore, it is urgent to deepen the understanding of the importance of Chinese traditional culture, if the country wants to differentiate its design education from that in the west. Only by vigorously advocating the return of "native spirit" with reflective sense of responsibility can we and organically integrate Chinese traditional culture into modern design education and create substantial internationally influential "Chinese elements" in our design practice. This thesis uses cases studies, interviews, observations, and data analysis to conduct research with Xi'an Jiaotong University, Jiageng College of Xiamen University and Jingdezhen Ceramic University. These three universities represent different kinds of universities on mainland China. By looking into their differences and similarities, it is possible to derive useful methods and ideas about how to integrate Chinese culture with design education. The reform of inheritance and sustainability of traditional culture in design education is long-term, arduous and complex. It cannot be accomplished overnight. At present, design education in China urgently needs to find out how to inherit and develop on the basis of why traditional culture is needed in design education and what are needed to change the current situation. In view of the present situation of design education on mainland China, this thesis concludes that we must adhere to the path of comprehensive reform in inheriting and developing traditional culture, and consider all educational and teaching reform measures as an organic and unified whole: First, we must change the educational concepts; Second, we need to adjust the curriculums; Third, we need to reform classroom teaching; Fourth, we need to strengthen practical teaching; Fifth, we need to strengthen the capability of teaching staff. This thesis provides case studies and analyses to show how these can be achieved.