by Gerrit Bester
Dr Schalk van Staden, lecturer in the Department of Visual Communication, Faculty of Arts and Design, Tshwane University of Technology (大象视频), was conferred with a Doctor of Art and Design degree at 大象视频鈥檚 Spring graduation ceremony on 16 October. His doctoral research expands design knowledge by examining everyday design through a human-centred perspective, aligning with his commitment to user-centred design.
Dr Schalk van Staden, lecturer in the Department of Visual Communication, Faculty of Arts and Design, Tshwane University of Technology.
TELL US MORE ABOUT YOUR CAREER SO FAR. I am a full-time Design lecturer in the Department of Visual Communication, Faculty of Arts and Design (Integrated Communication Design programme). I have many years of practical experience in design as a practitioner, advisor, reviewer and consultant. I have won numerous national arts competitions and am an international, award-winning game-character designer.
I am also a member of the international PUBG Creative Team.
Academically, I have held acting roles as departmental HoD and Section Head. I have participated in local and international conferences, served on conference editorial boards and journal peer-review boards and acted as an external examiner, moderator and curriculum adviser for design at multiple universities. I have also served as a judge for art and design competitions.
WHAT IS THE TITLE OF YOUR PHD DISSERTATION? An Adapted Epistemology of Design: The Exploration of The Everyday.
WHO WERE YOUR SUPERVISORS? My primary supervisor was Dr Selma Schiller and co-supervisor Dr Herman Botes.
JUST HOW IMPORTANT IS IT TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT SUPERVISOR AND TO HAVE A GOOD RELATIONSHIP WITH HIM/HER ON THIS JOURNEY? It is extremely important because it is a long journey where ideas, uncertainties, explorations, discussions and emotions intertwine. Together with your supervisors, you are paving a road that leads to a new destination 鈥� a mutually shared journey.
This journey can be completed successfully only when there is understanding, compassion, acceptance and respect between the student and supervisor. It can sometimes feel like a lonely path, but if you have a good relationship with your supervisor, it is like hearing your favourite song on the radio during a road trip 鈥� suddenly, it becomes a lot better.
SHORTLY EXPLAIN THE MAJOR FINDINGS/DISCOVERIES MADE AS PART OF YOUR STUDY AND HOW THEY CONTRIBUTE TO THE CURRENT BODY OF KNOWLEDGE IN THIS FIELD. My research looks at how the philosophy of design can explore the everyday to expand design epistemologies. Thereby, addressing diverse everyday contexts, aligning them with a human-experience approach. I created a framework towards an adapted epistemology of design that presented a new way of thinking about design that shows how epistemologies of design aligned more to a human-centred approach can better address everyday problems and opportunities.
This proposed framework contributes new knowledge by offering design practitioners a meta-perspective of ten identified design epistemologies, each adapted to address diverse everyday properties. The proposed framework has the potential to unlock the world of philosophy and sociology for practicing designers.
The framework鈥檚 possible implementation into the design field offers practicing designers evolved knowledge about design and its epistemology, impacting daily life. Applying philosophical thoughtfulness with real-world social dynamics can advance design research toward more inclusive, human-centred transformation. This approach helps designers see how their work affects both individuals and society. It encourages them to design with more care, paying attention to humans, nature and the world around them.
It also brings in new ideas from philosophy and sociology to make design stronger and more useful. Teachers and students of design could also use these ideas in classrooms to think differently about how design works. They can talk about the role of designers, how people live in their spaces, how humans and nature connect and how design impacts society.
The research also contributed to advancing design considerations and addressing functional and societal complexities, thereby ensuring the evolution of the field while adhering to modernism鈥檚 foundations.
WHAT ADVICE DO YOU HAVE FOR FELLOW STAFF MEMBERS WHO ARE BUSY WITH THEIR DOCTORAL STUDIES OR ARE STILL CONTEMPLATING THEM?
- Keep knowing your 鈥淲hy?鈥� 鈥� It is the purpose that motivates.
WHAT ARE YOUR RESEARCH INTERESTS AND HOW IMPORTANT IS RESEARCH OUTPUT IN THE ARTS? My interests are thinking differently about design (philosophy and practice) and how the process can have a greater impact on the way we approach design and how it can positively impact everyday situations, problems and the way we teach design.
Research output in the arts is extremely important because it advances knowledge creation, contributing to an in-depth look at culture, creativity and society, fostering an evolved understanding that advances the practical and academic discourse.
It is a contributor to innovation, heritage and societal change.
HOW WILL YOU ENCOURAGE A CURRENT STUDENT TO PURSUE POSTGRADUATE STUDIES? By emphasising that postgraduate studies broaden career and personal growth pathways. I will also offer mentorship and guidance to demonstrate how advanced study enables a deeper exploration of a student鈥檚 field of expertise. This approach helps unpack their questions, leading to insights and outcomes with lasting, real-world impact.
WHAT ARE YOUR AMBITIONS ACADEMICALLY AT THIS STAGE OF YOUR CAREER? To implement my research framework developed in different social areas and design practices and build effective and evolved real-life, everyday solutions. I also intend to utilise the findings in design education and research outcomes and pursue a professorship.