The word OMNI is defined as All; of all things, and in all ways or places. Design exists and functions as a similarly universal experience and entity. OMNI: Design Methodologies, Systems, and Thinking will introduce college students to tools that can be used for problem-solving and creative thinking in any field of study. Whether you work in business, government, education, or nonprofit, design thinking is a learnable language. It can be used as a mechanism for communication and finding solutions. By teaching students the creative thinking processes we use as graphic designers, I aim to demystify the systems and create a common conceptual language between our field and others. This exposure and knowledge will change the current stance that many people take on graphic design as a practice, and provide them with skills they would not have encountered before. Without this change, we will miss opportunities to progress in ways we never imagined.
While free online platforms exist, the market is oversaturated and overwhelming for the average student encountering design thinking and systems for the first time. My coursework provides a flexible format for remote and in-person learning that gives students the ability to complete their assignments on whichever platform best serves their learning styles and preferences. This creates an equitable environment for every type of learner and gives universities the mobility to hold the class either online or on-campus. Given the new nature of remote and/or hybrid learning, OMNI is an inventive and progressive educational platform.
