A Model Proposal For The Contınuıty Of Desıgn Awareness In The Basıc Educatıon System

Abstract

Türkiye's basic education system includes a range of courses designed to prepare students for undergraduate education. However, the design education component of the curriculum is considered inadequate. Students interested in design enter university without prior experience and therefore need a long period of time to master basic design concepts. It is known that innate design instincts are gradually diminishing due to environmental factors. It is believed that these skills can be developed in the early years through targeted education. This study aims to identify the age at which design abilities begin to decline and proposes the integration of design-based content into the curriculum at this critical stage. For this purpose, the Visual Arts curriculum of primary schools in Türkiye was analyzed and relevant design theories and methodologies were extensively reviewed. The study found similarities between the Visual Formation and Communication outcomes of the Visual Arts curriculum and the basic design course in undergraduate education. Based on the views of three Visual Arts educators, the model aims to increase the effectiveness of basic design courses at the university level. It is expected that developing design awareness in early education will have a positive impact on undergraduate education and raise more talented designers. The implementation of this model is expected to improve the quality of design education. © 2025 ISEC Press.