The Tangram
I hadn’t thought of the tangram as an example of graphic design before, and considering how much I used to love playing with them as a kid, it starts to make more sense. It reminds me a bit of origami, even; using paper to form shapes into animals, flowers, and more.
The reading teaches that finding such symbolism is essential to graphic design, and essential to enjoying the craft. I know I personally enjoyed tangrams and origami a lot more when I played with them on my own than in school or camps. Having the true freedom to explore and play on my own allowed me to be much more creative and motivated in my own learning.
I’ve agreed that schools need to do better when it comes to teaching; after all, I’ve always learned better in things I’m passionate about, rather than a class I’m not. But one thing always stuck out; I would enjoy classes the teacher was excited about, or that weren’t simply lecture/note-based. Fun should be implemented more in schools, to promote long-term learning and general wellbeing in students and faculty. And that is something Graphic Design has already figured out, though not all classes in every school may adhere to it.
