Creativity in schools is key to better homes, cities and lives - Ric Blenkharn
I recently listened to a podcast with Chris Williamson, president of the RIBA where he mentioned the role that education needs to play in our visual understanding of the world.
It’s something that as an architect, parent and grandparent I firmly believe in. Those of you who know children will recognise the most used question they have: Why?
It’s perhaps symptomatic of an enquiring mind, a mind that is trying to understand everything. When that inquisitive mind is put to play, either with a cardboard box or perhaps some Lego – just look at the results.
Sadly, the role of creativity and active play somehow gets squeezed by a rigid state education system. Creative play in education stimulates holistic development – a crucial tool for cognitive, emotional, social, and physical growth.
By engaging in imaginative, unstructured activities such as drama, arts, and design technology, children develop critical thinking, problem-solving abilities, and helps their social interaction and sense of self-worth.
It’s no wonder why Scandinavian countries have an eye for design, since children there tend to start formal school at six or seven. The Danes have a word for play called ‘lege’ (where the word Lego comes from). It’s a form of play without rules where creativity thrives.
This style of play seems to have a profound impact on visual awareness, awareness that leads them to consider the importance of design in every artefact of life, from humble cutlery (think Arne Jacobsen), to light fittings (think Louis Poulsen) through to major architecture projects (think BIG: Bjarke Ingels Group).
MoMa, the Museum of Modern Art in New York stresses the role of design in everyday life. From the time you wake up to the time you go to sleep, design plays a role in your everyday life.
Design makes ideas tangible, translating them into physical form. Someone is responsible for designing the things we consume, use, and interact with every day.
Every moment, we encounter a set of solutions to a problem that has been considered by someone, or as Paola Antonelli, curator of architecture and design at MoMA, has said: “Everything is designed, one way or another.”
Design is not just about creating beautiful objects; it’s also a powerful tool for social change. Your surroundings play a significant role in shaping your mood, productivity, and overall well-being.
Consider the design of your home, office, or even public spaces like parks and cafes. Thoughtful design can transform a dull room into an inspiring workspace or a chaotic street into a welcoming community hub.
Architects, interior designers, and urban planners all rely on design principles to create environments that are both functional and uplifting. This is why an understanding of design is important-not only for young children at play, but throughout our entire education system and beyond.
Hold dear that inquisitive nature and challenge the bland and ordinary. Sadly, we see the bland and ordinary in many new housing developments – yet we can and should create homes and environments which stimulate us and give that sense of well-being. It’s why design matters.