ABSTRACT
Design Intelligence analyzes professional and academic trends in the design fields and publishes annual rankings of American design programs. Certain knowledge bases, analytical tools, and office practices have changed with developing technologies that address the complex challenges with which the profession grapples, and certainly contemporary curricula are different from those of decades ago. The roots of the profession in America lie in the nineteenth-century philosophies, social and reform issues, and urban projects. Students who have completed the program anecdotally report that the “Distinguished Communicator” designation was relevant in securing initial employment, and the experience gained through the program has been of professional relevance and employment benefit. From the class syllabus: Writing is integral to effective communication, and effective communication in all its forms is essential to success in the design community. This class will examine different forms of written communication useful in design practice; a secondary emphasis will be on using writing skills effectively in other means of communication.
