Design and Teaching

19. When design is taught in an art school (as it is here in Limoges) does this produce anything special, any added benefits or shortcomings that might influence the profession?

MSz: School is where different generations meet. The available time and space encourage you to forge your own opinions and move forward independently. But once you have found your place in school, it is then equally important to leave it.

20. What would you consider a good teaching programme in design?

MSz: I haven’t set foot in a school for forty years or more so I must ask you the same question. Are you happy with the teaching here?

“See the present through the eyes of your future. You must seek what you want single-mindedly even though it might at first sight appear inaccessible and tell yourself that this rigorous pursuit is all important. Use it to envisage whatever can be achieved. Don’t be satisfied cobbling together bits and pieces of the everyday squalid present.”10

10 From a dialogue in the film Charles, mort ou vif [Charles, Dead or Alive], directed by Alain Tanner (Bern: SRG SSR/Geneva: Groupe 5, 1969).

Translation: Jonathan Bass