Graphic Journey Blog

Hearing is believing

A little under two years ago I started, what I think, will turn into a ten year project. My aim is to interview as many Royal Designers as I can manage – there are over 100. So far I’ve clocked up fourteen. On average I record one a month, mostly at the designer’s home. I should explain the title, Royal Designer for Industry, is an honour. It was established in 1936 by the Royal Society of Arts to recognise designers who have created exceptional work, over a significant period of time. So don’t be put off by the ‘Royal’ bit, these are all really talented people. And the interesting thing is, they are from all design disaplines. RDInsights gives a very personal take on these individuals; where they’ve come from, their influences, difficulties along the way. Plus many amusing and often touching anecdotes. But most of all it makes connections and gives meaning to the creative arena that we all work in. But if you just want to put a voice to the face of this blogger then that's okay too.

Is creativity necessary?

This is the challenging question posed by writer and educational theorist, Sir Ken Robinson. He believes that the arts should have equal status as the traditional academic subjects on the core curriculum. If, like me, you agree that this would make for a better and more rounded society, then listen in on the following two inspiring lectures. The first, and very moving, ‘Schools Kill Creativity’ was given at the wonderful TED talks series a couple of years ago. And just last month Ken was at the RSA in London to receive the Benjamin Franklin Medal. He also made a compelling and heartfelt speech, 'Changing Paradigms', which develops his maverick theories on education and why, in his view, governments have got it all wrong.