The Reflective Citizen : General Design Education for a Sustainable Future
Original version
Digranes, I. & Fauske, L.B. (2010). The Reflective Citizen : General Design Education for a Sustainable Future. In: C. Boks, McMahon, C., W. Ion. & Parkinson, B. (Eds.), When Design Education and Design Research meet...The 12th International Conference on Engineering and Product Design Education 2-3 September 2010. Trondheim, Norway. http://papers.designsociety.org/the_reflective_citizen_%96_general_design_education_for_a_sustainable_future.paper.30179.htmAbstract
With the Norwegian 2006 curriculum, the thoughts of a global responsibility in terms of a wide
understanding of sustainability was introduced in general education in Art and Design education from
1st grade through lower secondary school (6-15 years). The focus of individual expression that
dominated the subject during the charismatic paradigm of self-expression has in the documents to
some extent been replaced by the focus on citizenship and user participation. The introduction, or
rather reintroduction of the concept of citizenship in the Norwegian Art and design subject, has lead to
a revitalisation of the previously prized concept of the useful, seen as lasting everyday objects that can
enhance the daily-life without disintegrating environmental, social or cultural values.