Living in interesting times

There is a rumour that the phrase “may you live in interesting times” is an English translation of an ancient Chinese proverb (or curse), but Chinese scholars have not yet been able to confirm its origins. However, whatever its origins it seems to aptly capture the essence of the environment currently surrounding design and technology education. On a global scale, issues of sustainability and globalisation and their relationships to peace, democracy and human well-being are becoming ever more immediate. At an international level, the role of design within successful knowledge-based economies is being explored ever more deeply. And at a national level, the role of design education is coming increasingly under the spotlight. There can hardly have been a more ‘interesting’ time to be involved in design education.