Earns Australian Learning and Teaching Council citation

Establishing a student graphic design studio with real clients has won a University of the Sunshine Coast lecturer an Australian Learning and Teaching Council citation.

The citation for outstanding contribution to student learning recognises the way digital design lecturer Dr Debra Livingston integrates industry-based engagement and the regional community into her curriculum.

Students provide design solutions for community projects and exhibit their work in regional galleries. They also complete an internship in their final year. Debra placed all students locally this year, with the students completing projects ranging from creating a brand for a new cooking school to promoting the Lions Club Maroochydore Markets.

This “hands-on integrated work practice,” which is similar to Avondale College’s ‘that design,’ helps the students “learn to interact and work with a client and begin to understand the [design] process . . . from the beginning of an idea to production output,” says Debra.

The initiative seems to be working, with two of Debra students receiving commendations in the 2010 Southern Cross Packaging Design Awards.

The community also benefits. According to Debra, exhibiting the work of the students promotes: design as a possible vocation; the students as prospective employees; and the students’ work as worthy or purchase.