On Sunday, June 25th, 2023, I found myself immersed in an extraordinary experience — the Mubadala Masary Program. This event brought together over 250 high school Emirati students from grades 9 to 11, fostering inspiration and empowering young minds. In the Industry Roundtables: Future Creativity session, I had the privilege of representing Product & Graphic Design alongside Hani Asfour, the esteemed Dean at the Dubai Institute of Design and Innovation. Hosted by Maryam Ali AlMarar from Mubadala and co-organised by Anna Batchelder, Samia Hasan and the wonderful team at Bon Education, this event served as a platform for us to share our career stories, advocate for pursuing creative passions, and discuss the exciting possibilities beyond the boundaries of traditional #STEM fields.

Discovering the Four C’s of 21st Century Skills:

During our five sessions, Hani and I emphasised the importance of the four C’s of 21st-century skills:

1. Critical thinking - an essential skill for designers, as it involves the ability to analyse and evaluate information, ideas, and concepts from multiple perspectives. Designers with strong critical thinking skills are adept at questioning assumptions, identifying biases, and uncovering hidden patterns or underlying problems. They approach design challenges with a thoughtful and discerning mindset, considering various factors such as user needs, market trends, and ethical considerations. By engaging in critical thinking, designers can make informed decisions, generate innovative solutions, and ensure their designs are effective, impactful, and meaningful. This skill enables designers to navigate complex problems, adapt to changing circumstances, and create designs that not only meet functional requirements but also address the deeper underlying issues at hand.
2. Creativity - is a vital skill for designers, encompassing the ability to generate original and innovative ideas, concepts, and solutions. It involves thinking outside the box, breaking away from conventional patterns, and approaching problems with fresh perspectives. Creative designers possess a rich imagination and a keen sense of curiosity, allowing them to explore new possibilities and push the boundaries of design. They excel in connecting seemingly unrelated ideas, drawing inspiration from diverse sources, and translating abstract concepts into tangible and engaging designs. By harnessing their creativity, designers can infuse their work with uniqueness, emotional resonance, and aesthetic appeal, ultimately delivering impactful and memorable experiences to users. Creativity as a skill empowers designers to bring fresh perspectives, envision possibilities, and deliver design solutions that captivate and inspire.
3. Collaboration - is a crucial skill for designers, as it involves the ability to work effectively and harmoniously with others towards a shared goal. Designers who excel in collaboration understand the value of diverse perspectives and actively seek input and feedback from team members, stakeholders, and users. They are skilled communicators, able to articulate their ideas and listen attentively to others, fostering a cooperative and inclusive environment. Collaborative designers thrive in interdisciplinary settings, leveraging the expertise of professionals from different fields to inform and enrich their design process. By collaborating with others, designers can tap into a collective pool of knowledge, leverage complementary skills, and co-create solutions that are holistic, well-rounded, and resonate with a broader audience. Collaboration as a skill enables designers to leverage the power of teamwork, break down silos, and deliver designs that address complex challenges while reflecting the needs and aspirations of a diverse range of stakeholders.
4. Communication - is a fundamental skill for designers, as it involves effectively conveying ideas, concepts, and design solutions to various audiences. Designers who excel in communication possess the ability to articulate their vision, rationale, and design intentions clearly and persuasively. They leverage visual, verbal, and written communication techniques to convey complex ideas in a concise and engaging manner. Effective communication allows designers to collaborate seamlessly with clients, stakeholders, and team members, ensuring a shared understanding and alignment throughout the design process. Additionally, strong communication skills enable designers to gather meaningful feedback, actively listen to user insights, and incorporate valuable input into their designs. By mastering communication as a skill, designers can bridge the gap between their creative vision and the intended audience, resulting in designs that effectively communicate messages, evoke emotions, and create meaningful connections.

Investing in Creative Passions:

Drawing from our own experiences, we shared our career journeys, highlighting the significance of investing in one’s creative passions. We shattered the misconception that success is solely measured by pursuing STEM fields, challenging the traditional narrative dictated by family and friends. By advocating for the pursuit of creative passions, we aimed to awaken a sense of self-belief and inspire the students to embrace their own unique talents and aspirations.

Beyond Graphic Design: Exploring a World of Design Careers:

While representing Product & Graphic Design, we felt a deep responsibility to broaden the students’ horizons and expose them to the diverse opportunities that design encompasses. We emphasised that design is not confined to graphic design alone but branches out into a myriad of disciplines. We introduced them to product design, service design, content design, business design and organisation design to name a few of the modern day career paths that are continuously evolving and disrupting all industries.

Service design was first introduced as a design discipline at the Köln International School of Design in 1991. Although the definition continues to evolve, it can be summarised as:

"The activity of planning and organising people, infrastructure, communication and material components of a service in order to improve its quality and the interaction between service provider and customers. The purpose of service design methodologies is to design according to the needs of customers or participants, so that the service is user-friendly, competitive and relevant to the customers."

We gave examples of Service Design enhancing customer and consumer experiences across various sectors such as healthcare, transportation, and hospitality.

Conquering Fears: AI and the Future of Design disciplines:

We had many questions from students about the rise of artificial intelligence (AI), and addressed the fear that graphic design and other design disciplines may become obsolete. We reassured them that while AI undoubtedly shapes the landscape of design, it is not a threat but rather a catalyst for transformation and collaboration. We explained that AI’s role lies in automating repetitive tasks, allowing designers to channel their energy towards strategy, research, ideation, and innovation. By embracing AI as a tool, designers can amplify their creative abilities and contribute to shaping a future where human ingenuity thrives alongside technological advancements.

A Bright Future Beckons:

As our sessions concluded, a sense of optimism filled the room. We had achieved our goal of opening the students’ minds and hearts to a world of creative possibilities. This was confirmed by the wonderful feedback we received. One student said:

"Thank you for joining us …. I really appreciate the time you put today to come and talk about your career. You inspired me and a lot … thank you!" - High School Student

The future belongs to these young Emiratis - who possess the power to attain further skills in thinking critically, creating passionately, collaborating effectively, and communicating eloquently. In the wake of the Mubadala Masary Program, I am filled with hope and excitement. I am confident that the Emirati youth will shape a future that celebrates innovation, creativity, and diversity.

Emirati youth, the future is bright, and it is yours to embrace and shape. The world awaits your unique talents, ideas, and perspectives. Unleash your potential and set forth on a path that reflects your passions, dreams, and the incredible power within you.

If you're interested in learning further, reach out to me for some coaching!