Warp and Woof Method --- An Approach to Creativity

Abstract

Since design education gets more importance nowadays a more effective teaching and learning model enhancing students' creativity becomes badly in need. The division between two categories of design schools also adds to the complexity of the given challenge towards innovation. To tackle this task many thoughts were collected and one special means developed to bridge the gap between theories and practice in design schools, namely the “Warp and Woof Method”. The warp and woof method trains designers in a practice-focused learning process, where theories and knowledge acquired separately are organized for findings and building new products. New courses are fitted inside existing curriculum to transform it into trans-disciplinary one. The STEM course forms the missing warp in a curriculum of art and design schools, while a project-based creative course serves as a strong woof building up the fabric of designer training for all design schools. The applications involved examples and feedback from universities in China. STEM course was carried out in BIT in Zhuhai and the project-based design course was done in Qilu University of Technology in Jinan, China. Both cases involved teaching with Warp and Woof Method combining lecture and practice. Students' feed back were very positive and open to improvements.