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Design+ An appropriate design education

which are project-based rather than organization- or companies and institutions to develop concept design
network-based. We could refer to these as “cloud” models programs. This reflects a long-standing engagement in
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or, following Bey’s definition, “canvas” models. . In this a PBE approach.
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context, it is possible to apply a series of definitions that The series of hypotheses developed during the pandemic
interact with the previously mentioned concepts of PBE evolved into guidelines: They were not simply applications
and EBP to the field of design and design education. This, of pre-existing protocols, but rather elements of a dynamic
in turn, provides a model for the goals that an educational process. In response to the need for rapid and practical
program can aim to achieve. We can apply this working action, the goal was to use mnemonic tools to reorganize
hypothesis on an educational level to define the possibilities design activities within work groups – a characteristic
for intervention in various areas claimed by design in approach of the institution. These guidelines can be
recent decades while maintaining the contextuality and summarized through a few key terms, each supported by
scalability of the approach. secondary keywords, relevant statements, and guiding
The terms “efficacy,” “effectiveness,” “efficiency,” and mottos, all organized in a functional sequence.
“appropriateness” as used in both economic (Drucker) Considering the current situation, the first keyword
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and clinical (Cochrane) contexts, provide a valuable chosen was “Adaptation,” with sub-keywords including
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framework, especially in a situation where the entire strategy/tactics, resilience, and flexibility. These terms
social context – and the educational system within it – are concerned with situations in which a well-designed
has been disrupted by the current pandemic. Efficacy process is subjected to sudden changes due to unforeseen
and effectiveness relate to the two models, EBP and PBE, events, requiring a reconfiguration of the guidelines’
mentioned above: the former involves the application effective application. Such situations would be impossible
of a program (or protocol), while the latter refers to the to address with rigid protocols). This can be encapsulated
transformation of good practices into recommendations. in the motto: Design as a blend of strategy and tactics.
Efficiency pertains to achieving a goal with the least
possible effort, and appropriateness involves the right The second keyword, “Workout,” brings together
intervention (at the right time, with the right user, and in the concepts of exercise, practice, and open process.
the right way). Continuous training in design methodologies allows for
tackling complex projects through intense practice and
4. Discussion iterative revision. The corresponding motto is: Design as
It is often said that every crisis leads to system evolution. a complex toolkit.
The pandemic forced organizations to confront the urgent The third keyword, “Ability/skills,” refers to
need to adopt new procedures. This context was also true competencies, skills, and alignment. In a cloud-based
education, which saw a rapid shift to remote working, context, every individual brings their own skills and
digitalization, and the use of new tools and practices. networks, “glocalizing” their intervention based on a
More than just technological or organizational change, specific substratum of knowledge and contacts, which are
this represented a shift in the design of education – a then realigned to the collective effort. A possible motto for
particularly important development for those involved in this concept is: Anthropology of techniques.
design education.
The fourth keyword, “Self-production” encompasses
During the pandemic lockdown, the Postgraduate the “Do it yourself” (or “Design it yourself”) technique
School of Instituto Europeo di Design (IED) Milano and democratization of technologies. Project phases
initiated a series of practical hypotheses, drawing on the can be developed remotely by students and integrated
input from its Coordinators. These emergency solutions into the workflow. The motto “Design it yourself” can
not only addressed immediate needs but also stimulated be particularly significant even in professional terms,
broader discussions about the very rapid evolution of expanding upon the original definition by Lupton .
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CIs. Therefore, these solutions proved valuable tactically, The final keyword, “Cloudiness,” refers to project
in redesigning curricula and creating new workflows,
and strategically, in identifying approaches to tackle a elasticity and transience. Classes and working groups, in
phygital (physical plus digital) future. This transition fact, are transient communities: they form, disband, and
was becoming the norm for stakeholders in educational re-form according to a non-definitive model. The final
projects, including both private and public organizations. motto, which should also be understood in practical terms:
It is worth noting that since its founding in 1966, IED Cloud/canvas versus network.
has been committed to collaborating directly with After the pandemic emergency, during which these

Volume 2 Issue 1 (2025) 4 doi: 10.36922/dp.4757