We worked in collaboration with the School of Education at the National College of Art and Design (NCAD) on the Change Lab project. Their objective was to create a visually compelling book and exhibition graphics for an immersive showcase titled “LAND and HOME,” featuring the work of student teachers enrolled in the Professional Master in Education (PME) program.
The design project revolved around the concept of teaching and creating art that is relevant to the contemporary era. We worked closely with the School of Education to develop a cohesive visual and aesthetic system that accurately represented the pedagogical approach and artefacts produced by the student teachers in response to the theme of LAND and HOME.
One of the key elements of the project was the creation of a book that effectively communicated the pedagogical approach through the use of graphic symbols. The book also served as a platform to showcase the various case studies from the Change Lab, with each case study being displayed on different coloured papers, adding a dynamic and visually engaging element to the publication.
The Change Lab, designed as a model of practice, aims to integrate Development Education into the PME program at NCAD. It provides a critical space for learning, contemplation, and reimagining the possibilities of teaching art and design curriculum in secondary-level education through a development education lens.
The Change Lab nurtures a strong commitment and motivation among student teachers to promote social justice and sustainability in their practice as artist-researchers. It involved groups of three to four student teachers working in the NCAD gallery space for a three-week period, creating a body of artwork that critically reflected the social injustices and unsustainable practices prevalent in our time. This unique environment allowed them to explore the social, ethical, and cultural dimensions of their art practice, delving into complex real-world problems.
The project highlighted the integral role of the student teachers’ response, research, and creative work as artists, researchers, and teachers within the PME program’s methodology for learning and teaching Visual Art in post-primary education. Red&Grey’s graphic design expertise brought the exhibition and accompanying book to life, effectively capturing the essence of the Change Lab’s mission and the student teachers’ artistic exploration of contemporary issues.