- : Ms Word, Ms Word Format
- : 100 Pages
- : ₦5000
- : 1-5 Chapters
- Click to DOWNLOAD Materials
ASSESSMENT OF GRAPHIC DESIGN CURRICULAR OF NIGERIAN UNIVERSITIES IN RELATION TO DIGITAL CHALLENGES FACED BY FRESH GRADUATES IN THE PRINTING INDUSTRY
ABSTRACT
The aim of this study is to assess the curriculum content used in teaching graphic design in the Nigerian universities in comparison with the knowledge/skills needed in the printing industry toward developing a curriculum model that will be used for teaching undergraduate graphic design programmes. In view of the aim, the following objectives were developed: 1. Determine the extent to which teaching qualification and experience are relevant to the implementation of digital graphic design curriculum in the selected universities in Nigeria. 2. Examine the graphic design curriculum content used for implementation of teaching graphic design programme in Nigerian universities. 3. Identify the type of digital printing equipment desirable for practical demonstration in teaching graphic design programme of universities in Nigeria. 4. Determine the extent of digital graphic design curriculum content captured in the curricular of undergraduate programme of universities in Nigeria. 5. Develop a digital graphic design instructional model for the Nigerian universities offering graphic design that will complement with the current practice in the printing industry. The objectives of the study were converted to research questions thus as follows; 1. Are the teaching qualification and experience relevant to the implementation of digital graphic design curriculum in the universities in Nigeria? 2. What is the digital graphic design curriculum content used for the implementation of teaching graphic design programmes in universities in Nigeria? 3. What are the equipment desirable for practical demonstration in teaching graphic design programme for universities in Nigeria? 4. Determine the extent of digital graphic design curriculum content captured in the curricular of undergraduate programmes of universities in Nigeria. 5. What is the befitting digital graphic design curriculum model for the universities in Nigeria offering graphic design programme that will complement the current practice in the graphic communication industry? Two Null hypotheses were drawn from the problem, aim and objectives of the study. HO1 there is no significant difference between the digital graphic design skills needed in the printing industry and the curricular content of undergraduate programme of graphic design in the universities in Nigeria. Ho2 There is no significance difference between the digital graphic design equipment acquired for practical demonstration at the universities in Nigeria and the digital graphic design equipment used at the printing industry. The significance of the study are numerous among which is that the study will assist stakeholders in design education to assess the human and material resources available in graphic design programmes in Nigerian universities to determine what is adequate and what is not. The scope of the study was focused on seeking digital skills/knowledge to face challenges face by fresh graduates in the printing industries. Only graphic design lecturers and professionals working in the printing industries were used as population. The study used a survey research method in which opinion from universitylevel graphic design lecturers and graphic design professionals were collected. There are 40 federal universities in Nigeria where purposive sample was used to draw six universities. But for the graphic design lecturers, the whole population was taken which involved 25 lecturers. As for the industries the population was 177 and a random sample used 13% of the total population which comprised 25 printing establishments. The area of study for this research work is the entire Nigerian geographical location. This study uses two set of closed ended questionnaire as the research instrument for the data collection. A 5-point closed-ended Likert scale type of instrument was used for the study. The instrument for this study was validated by subject expert for necessary observation, correction and suggestions. One questionnaire addressed the graphic design lecturers in the universities. The other questionnaire addressed the graphic design professionals in the industry. Reliability test of instrument was also conducted to check the level of agreement between raters. A pilot test was then conducted to ensure that the information expected from the study is acquirable. The result obtained from the pilot demonstrated a positive outcome. By implication the expected information for the study was acquired therefore the researcher went ahead to field work for the data collection. The finding of the study discovered that the graphic design lecturers were more proficient in digital television/animation graphics more than digital graphics design in the printing area. The result further indicates that majority of equipment used in the printing industry in Nigeria were not available in the universities in Nigeria. The research findings revealed that there is a significant difference between the skills taught at the universities in Nigeria and the skills needed in the printing industry. The study further indicates that graphic design students graduated without adequate digital knowledge/skill. The research findings concludes that the digital graphic design knowledge/skills taught at the university are not adequate compared with what is needed in the printing industry. The study further discovered that graphic design students who graduated without correct digital graphic design knowledge/skill are not likely going to be relevant in the printing industry in the near future. The study recommends that graphic design lecturers in the selected universities should develop interest to be proficient in digital printing graphics design to keep abreast of the state of the art in graphic design. Universities, industries and all stakeholders should ensure that students dedicate their time to obtain the satisfactory skills needed during the period allocated for industrial training. The study further recommends that contemporary equipment, tools and software used in the graphic communication industry should be provided in the departments adequately for practical demonstrations. The study suggests for onward research in the area of technological advancement in graphic design with reference to printing to reevaluate the findings of this research in the next four years.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Title Page …………………………………………………………………………… i
Declaration……………………………………………………………………..…… ii
Certification……………………………………………………………………..….. iii
Dedication ………………………………………………………………………….. iv
Acknowledgements …………………………………………………………….…… v Abstract ……………………………………………………………………….……. vi
Table of contents …………………………………………………………………… viii
List of Tables …………………………………………………………………….… xii
List of figures ………………………………………………………………………. xiv
List of Appendices………………………………………………………………….. xvi
Abbreviations……………………………………………………………………….. xvii
CHAPTER ONE
1.0 Introduction …………………………………………………………………….. 1
1.1 Statement of the Problem ………………………………………………………. 8
1.2 Aim and objectives of the Study ………………………………………………… 10
1.3 Research Questions …………………………………………………………..… 11
1.4 Hypothesis ……………………………………………………………………… 11
1.5 Significance of the Study……………………………………………………..… 12
1.6 Scope of the Study ……………………………………………………………… 14 CHAPTER TWO
Literature Review
| 2.0 Introduction ………………………………………………………………..…… 15
2.1 Conceptual Framework ……………………………………….………………… 16 2.2.1 Graphics Design ……………………………………………………………….. 18 2.2.2 Digital Computer graphics …………………………………………………… 23 |
|
| 2.3. Curriculum Model Development ….………………….……………..……….. | 26 |
| 2. 3.1 Curriculum Model – what it is …………………………..…………..………. | 26 |
| 2.3.2 Curriculum Development Process ………………………….…………………. | 28 |
| 2.3.3 Major Steps in Curriculum Development …………………………..………… | 31 |
| 2.3.4 Examples of Curriculum Model …………………………………………..….. | .33 |
| 2.4 Graphic Design Digital Skills Practiced in the Printing Industry. ……………… | 35 |
| 2.5 Graphic Design Software Use in the Printing Industry ………………………… | 37 |
| 2.6 Future Prospects for Digital Graphics Design in the Print Industry …………… | 40 |
| 2.7 Graphic Design Curriculum content for the 21st century …………….………… | 42 |
| 2.8 graphic Design Curriculum in Nigerian Universities ………………………….. | 52 |
| 2.8.1Modibbo Adama University of Technology (MAUTECH) Yola …………….. | 52 |
| 2.8.2 Federal University of Technology (FUTA) Akure …………………………… | 53 |
| 3.8.3 Ahmadu Bello University, (ABU) Zaria ……………………………………… | 54 |
| 2.8.4 Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU), BAUCHI ………………… | 54 |
| 2.9 Staff Training for the 21st Century Graphic Design Competency ……………… | 56 |
| CHARPTER THREE
Research and Methodology |
||
| 3.0 Introduction …………………………………………………………………… | 59 | |
| 3.1 Research Design ………………………………………………….…………….. | 60 | |
| 3.2 Population of the Study ……………………………………………………….. | 60 | |
| 3.3 Sample size and Sampling Technique ………………………………………….. | 68 | |
| 3.4 Area of study ……………………………………………………………………. | 70 | |
| 3.5 Instrument for Data Collection………………………………………………….. | 71 | |
| 3.5.1 Type of Data Expected for the Study ………………………………..………. | 72 | |
| 3.6 Validity of the instrument …………………………………………….………… | 76 | |
| 3.7 Reliability Test of the instrument ……………………………….……..………. | 76 | |
| 3.8 Pilot Test …………………………………………………………..…………… | 78 | |
| 3.9 Data Analysis ……………………………………………………….………… | 79 | |
| 3.10 Procedure for Data Collection …………………………………………….….. | 79 | |
| 3.11.1 Curriculum Model Development ………………………….………………… | 80 | |
| 3.11.2 Procedure for Developing a New Curriculum……………………………… 81
3.11.3 Interpretation f the Curriculum Model Developed …………………………. 82 CHAPTER FOUR RESULTS AND DISCUSSION OF FINDINGS 4.0 Introduction …………………………………………………………………… 86 4.1 Responses Rate ……………………………………………………………….. 87 4.2 Statistical Analysis of the Data Collected………………………………..…… 88 4.3. Research question 1…………………………………………………………… 88 |
||
| 4.4 Research question 2 ….…………………………………………………………
4.5 Research question 3………………………………………………………………….. 4.6 Research question 4……………………………………………………………. 4.7 Findings of the study…………………………………………………………… 4.8 Discussion ……………………………………………………………………… |
98
111 121 124 126 |
|
| CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION 5.1 Introduction………………………………………………………………….… |
128 |
|
| 5.2 Summary of the study………………………………………………………….. | 128 | |
| 5.3 Conclusion… ………………………………………………………………..… | 129 | |
| 5.4 Recommendations………………………………………………………….….. | 129 | |
| 5.5 Suggestions for Further Study ………………………………………………… | 131 | |
| REFERENCES…………………………………………………………….………. | 132 | |
| APPENDICES……………………………………………………………………… | 144 | |
CHAPTER ONE
1.0 Introduction
Graphic design is a versatile field. It comprises of two major components namely: print media and new media. The print media is further separated into newspaper, magazine, poster, bills, large format, signage and any other printed product item (hard copy). The television, internet, multimedia, World Wide Web advert, mobile advert and electronic games are referred to as electronic media or new media (Shen, 2006). This study concentrated on the former, by assessing the competence of graphic design graduates in the printing industry in relation to new trends of technological development. Undoubtedly, graphic design knowledge is utilised in the printing and publishing industry. The printing and publishing industry is wide that no single individual can know it all and no single firm can capture its potentials no matter how large it is (Greg 2014). Thus the graphic communication industry provided a lot of opportunities to graphic design Nigerian graduates in particular and the world in general.
The opportunities available in the printing and publishing sector makes graphic design profession more promising career in the world due to its rapid development in technology. In America, the printing industry is the largest trade, employing over 1.5 million people and selling over $180 billion of products to print product consumers. In Mexico, the Graphic Communication Industry employs 21,118 people in more than 1,150 establishments and selling over $2.7 billion dollars graphic products (PIA, 2014). A study conducted by Printing industries of Michigan -PIM- (2015) also highlighted that Printing and graphic arts are among America‘s largest industries; ranking first among the 20 major manufacturing establishments, second in dollar payroll and third in the number of employees. The State of Michigan ranks tenth among the 50 states in the number of employees working in this important industry with over 40,000 employees working in over 1500 establishments totaling sales of over $5.6 Billion. Similarly, Onwuolu (2014) also ascertained that the paper product, printing and publishing sectors of Nigeria‘s economy as at 2010 employed over 300,000 people with investment worth over N100
billion.
Dakyes (2011), reported that ‗the print industry in the late 19th and early 20th centuries
witnessed high level advancement in the area of machinery. Germany, China, and Europe, made tremendous achievements in print equipment manufacturing which made printing more cost effective, time saving, better quality, and more profiting.‘ Dakyes (2011) further expressed that the 21st century graphic design is techno-driven, the print industry is highly digitized which ushered in new materials and techniques. Digitization of printing industry is surely the greatest technological innovations of the day. Graphic design industry works with enthusiastic pre-press (graphics applications) software such as QuarkXppress, CorelDraw, instant artist, after effect, adobe pagemaker etc. to create finished jobs and prototypes for consumer goods.
In view of the above the graphic communication industry could make immense contribution to the economic development of the nation if right conditions are put in place. Explicitly considering what Onwuolu (2014) had earlier said that the paper product, printing and publishing sectors of Nigeria‘s economy as at 2010 employed over 300,000 people with investment worth over N100 billion. This has cleared all doubt that printing and graphic design profession in Nigeria has become very viable, hence there is need to assessed the current curriculum used in the Nigerian Universities in order to improve the quality of graphic design graduates in line with the state of the art graphic design profession to compete favourably with what is happening worldwide. Nwokpoku (2014) articulated that improving the graphic design graduate will make the Nigerian graduate more productive, consequently there will be smooth transition from university to industrial settings. In addition it will generate more employment opportunities in the country, leading to reduction of unemployment.
Graphic communication keeps peoples informed and enriches their lives. Because the industry advances the society by responding to its needs, this is seen in the products items that have surrounded the human existence and simplified people‘s way of living in most aspects of life. Graphic design print products are seen in daily papers, on the roads, on the cover of books, billboards, product packaging, brochures and countless other products and everyday item consumed. Ogunlade (2008) stated that graphic design is ‗a professional discipline that continues to attract attention of substantial number of visual communicators with a view to using various techniques in turning graphic language into ideas that help sell merchandize and publications that are read.‖ The attraction of attention is achieved through designing of visual forms as expressed by Miller (2014), that Graphic Design ―is the art of visual communication which combines images, words and ideas to convey information to the audience.‖
Graphic design industry in Nigeria today is witnessing a new trend of development in terms of communication technology, it uses the latest technology and the most sophisticated tools in creating sophisticated designs. The business of graphic communication is a long established profession that has always offered excitement and challenges as its methods advanced. This means that there is continuous change and growth in the industry and those who choose to be part of it should also change. (PIM 2015). By implication the change should be focused towards the skills needed in the industry.
The current state of graphic design industry differs from the technologies that were used before now. For example, the use of preparing manual layout, manual design prototype, page layout, mark-up, letterset transfer sheets (for typesetting), conventional colour separation, etc. all have ceased to exist as they are no longer practice in the contemporary graphic communication industry in Nigeria. These old techniques of operations were replaced with digital graphic design process. Certainly the technological development comes with numerous opportunities and challenges to the graduates of graphic design. Therefore the development in this area should have bearing on the relevancy of training given to graphic design students in Nigerian Universities. This is because it is a wellknown fact that graduates of Nigerian Universities are the future of the country‘s workforce. As such it makes no sense to produced graduates who cannot handle the task required in the industry. In line with this Bankole (2001) observed that most graphic design schools in Nigeria at higher institutions, particularly at the University level, have not really found it easy to effectively implement the use of the digital equipment.
In explaining digital graphic, Pender (1996) articulated that ―digital graphic design uses computers, graphics tablets and other electronic devices to create graphics designs works for web adverts, television, print and portable electronic devices.‖ Pender further elaborated that the new communication revolutions now turning around the digital computer technology was first conceived as a means of relief from the tedium of the past. Digital graphics provided a scenario that cut off lots of operations in designing and preparing copies for print production. Schreier (2002) asserted that ―within the foreseeable future, half of the machines (use in graphic communication industry) manufactured by Heidelberg will be digital.‖ then it is there that digital design for print product is here to stay. In fact, it has already become a significant factor of the printing industry.
This development in computer technology brought about great benefit to the graphic designers and human communication network. High tech implies progress while low tech is becoming outdated. A stone wheel, an arrowhead, a shuttle loom was once high tech.
Today they are museum pieces as old technologies are replaced with new ones. Nana and John (2000) stated that, ―Even the most celebrated technologies of the past are now regarded as low technologies.‖ Therefore with the rapid changing in digital technology there is need for curriculum reevaluation and revision to accurately reflect the demands for a successful graphic design graduates. The goal of revision is to equip the learner with the expected skills and knowledge required for him to become useful in the industry in particular and society at large.
In fulfilling the role of an individual in the society Azi (2006) said that ―it is usually inferred that learning has taken place when changes in behavior occurred as a result of experience, practice and training. The consequences of which positive attitude evolve to produce a learner that is prepared to take up his or her role as a useful member of the society.‖
Ability to discharge roles in society in another countenance is shaping the potential workers by embracing advancement in technology which is rapidly becoming one of the most important and widely discussed issues in contemporary educational strategy. Experts in education like Rosen and Michelle (1995) and Thierer (2000) in Usman (2008) opined that ―when properly used, such new technology like Computer Aided Design
(CAD) hold great assurance to not just improve teaching and learning but shaping graduates opportunities.‖ The above assertion has also go in line with the National Policy of Education (2005) which aimed at providing technical and vocational education for manpower development and imparting necessary skills to individual who shall be selfreliant economically.
Bankole (2001) however, observed that most graphic design schools in Nigeria at higher institutions, particularly at the university level, have not really found it easy to effectively implement the use of digital equipment as a tool despite the fact that the use of computer pervades all aspects of production as a result of the current changing trend in the industry.
Absolute abundance of definite knowledge about the skills of today‘s technological needs in the graphic communication industry will in itself create more informed students with a complementary understanding of the task required of them to be professionals in their field. Accordingly, the UNESCO (2002) provided the principles, standards and practice that support professionalism, this has generally been defined as an outstanding set of abilities enabling individuals to recognize the knowledge needed and have the capacity to locate and use it effectively. Students can thus have access to required knowledge when the university educational system helps them develop their talents and skills. In view of the above this study strived to assess the curriculum in use for teaching graphic design students in the Nigerian Universities in relation to need of the industry with a view of determining suitable curriculum model that will assist educational institutions and policy makers with implementation standards from which to teach. A curriculum modelis therefore a schematic description or representation of something, especially a system or phenomenon that accounts for its properties. A curriculum model is also defined as an outline, approaches, methods and procedures of teaching and learning which targets the needs and characteristics of particular group of students. (Heritage Dictionary 2011)
Without any doubt digitization of graphic design Industry is forcing traditional method of graphic design outdated. This explained into practical terms that the skills/knowledge used in traditional graphics differ from the digital graphics. Therefore it is very significant to urgently identify needed for the 21st century graphic design programmes in Nigerian universities. This study uses graphic design sections in the universities and printing establishments for the investigation of the research problems and proffering solutions.
1.1 Statement of the Problem
Printing industries utilizes the knowledge of graphic designers in designing and preparing copies to produce print products. Utilization of equipment and method of operations are undoubtedly changing in the graphic communication industry. The reason for the change is the rapid technological advancement in the industry. Yusuf (2014) expressed that graphic communication would always remain as graphic communication, what would keep changing is the methods of preparations and machines used in printing to achieved the end result. Latest developments in technology ushered with new equipments and process of designing and preparing copies for print product is known as digitization. The digitization forced the traditional method of graphic design outdated.
By expectations, graduates of graphic design are supposed to handle the task required in the graphic communication industry at all times. Unfortunately, this is not so, the development in technology makes it difficult for them to fulfill the task. It is towards this direction that many graphic design professionals in the industry, academic institutions and educational policy makers in Nigeria lamented on the serious challenges graduates encounter. Fresh graphic design graduates find it difficult to practice for the services of modern graphic communication industry. Despite governments‘ attempts to make art and design education more in line with the needs of the industry. Unfortunately, the students‘ enrolment, teaching, and assessment practices are found to be far away from the need of the industry compared to other academic disciplines that produced skilled workforce who assumes the status of lifestyle in the society. (Kanu, 2010, Ogunduyile, 2008 and
Omoniyi, 2012).
Therefore it is clear that change occurred and is still occurring in the Graphic Communication industry in the World and Nigeria in particular. Taken for example, the use of manual equipment, materials, techniques of production and use of poster colours become redundant and were replaced with digital graphic design software which opens up new prospect for endless possible uses. When changes occurred in the industry, an effective curriculum should also be modify with the changes in the industry and the needs of the society in such a way that productivity is built into graduates. Any curriculum that is not up to date or that becomes static will soon have an adverse effect on the learners or beneficiaries.
Definitely, the problem of this study was that graduates of graphic design of Nigerian Universities find it difficult to satisfy the task required in the graphic communication industry. Their inability to fulfill the task became a serious problem which pervaded the graphic communication industry in Nigeria. Consequently their competencies come to be predicament which needs to be addressed. In view of considering setting standards for teaching, this study strives to assess the curriculum used in teaching graphic design students in the Universities. The assessment is compared with the skills needed in the graphic communication industry towards developing digital graphic design curriculum model for the implementation of how graphic design should be taught in the 21st Century.
1.2 Aim and objectives of the Study
The aim of this study is to assess the curriculum used in teaching graphic design in the Nigerian universities in comparison with the knowledge/skills needed in the printing industry towards developing a model for the implementation of 21st century graphic design programmes.
In view of the aim, the following objectives were developed to:
- determine the extent to which teaching qualification and experience are relevant to the implementation of digital graphic design curriculum in the selected universities in Nigeria.
- examine the graphic design curriculum content used for implementation of teaching graphic design programme in Nigerian universities.
- identify the type of digital printing equipment desirable for practical demonstration in teaching graphic design programme of universities in Nigeria.
- determine the extent of digital graphic design curriculum content captured in the curricular of undergraduate programme of universities in Nigeria.
- Develop a digital graphic design curriculum model for the Nigerian universities offering graphic design that will complement with the current practice in the printing industry.
1.3 Research Questions
This study specifically seeks to provide answer to the following research questions thus stated as follows;
- Are the teaching qualification and experience relevant to the implementation of digital graphic design curriculum in the universities in Nigeria?
- What are the digital graphic design curriculum content used for the implementation of teaching graphic design programme in universities in Nigeria?
- What are the equipment desirable for practical demonstration in teaching graphic design programme in universities in Nigeria?
- determine the extent of digital graphic design curriculum content captured in the curricular of undergraduate programme of universities in Nigeria?
- What is the befitting digital graphic design curriculum model for the universities in Nigeria offering graphic design programme that will complement with the current practice in the graphic communication industry?
1.4 Hypothesis
The study also used Null hypotheses drawn from the problem, aim, objectives, and research questions. The hypotheses were as follows;
HO1there is no significant difference between the digital graphic design skills needed in the printing industry and the curriculum content of undergraduate programme of graphic design in Nigerian universities.
Ho2 There is no significance difference between the digital graphic design equipment acquired for practical demonstration at the universities in Nigeria and the digital graphic design equipment used in the printing industry.
1.5 Significance of the Study
Graphic designers refer to themselves as professionals all the time and their clients respect them as professionals. As such there is a need to establish this fact to meet standards of professional practice. The Graphic Design industry has continued to change with new technology which is forcing the traditional design and advertising practice into relative obsolesce.
The outcome of this research work goes a long way in ensuring an improving Nigerian graphics design graduates. The research comes up with a set of recommendations for the use of stakeholders to achieve curriculum goal. Graphic design lecturers are exposed to the substantial digital graphic design knowledge which enable them improve their professional skills. Stakeholders are assisted in design education in assessing the human and material resources available in graphic design programmes in Nigerian universities to determine what is adequate and what is not, so that adequate budgetary provision is made for improvement. The study also determine an enabling condition with high quality facilities that is suitable for teaching students to acquire skills in line with the modern day graphic design experience. The study serves as substantial backup of knowledge that is useful as reference material in institutions that offered Graphic design in Nigeria and other part of the world.
There is drastic change of taste among graphic design product consumers. The change of taste has resulted to a high demand of foreign graphic print product for the search of quality and aesthetic jobs. It is hoped that the outcome of this study serve as a resolution of aesthetic qualities sought by the print media consumers in Nigeria. The aesthetic quality which is obtainable with modern day aesthetic skills/knowledge can only be achieve from graphic design practitioners who have strived and acquired digital graphic design experiences.
This study is expected to make a vital contribution to the nation‘s economy. As the result of the patronage of the domestic graphic design products in Nigeria, the foreign exchange will be saved and thus improve the nation‘s economy. The serves as unemployment decreasing as more digital machines are utilized in the occupation. Domestic services required in the modern day graphic industry is put into consideration. Consequently, small, medium and large scale industries established, thus the nation‘s production capacity and employment opportunities also improved. This goes along way with goals of National Policy of Education (2005) which aimed at providing trained manpower in the applied sciences, technology and business particularly at craft, advanced craft and technical level. The policy also aimed at providing technical knowledge, vocational skill and training to individual who shall be self-reliant economically.
1.6 Scope of the Study
Graphic design is a versatile field which is utilized by printing media and new media establishments. The scope of this study was focused on appraising the curriculum used in teaching graphic design students in Nigerian universities and also identifies the skills/knowledge needed in the printing industry in order to address digital challenges faced by fresh graduates.
ASSESSMENT OF GRAPHIC DESIGN CURRICULAR OF NIGERIAN UNIVERSITIES IN RELATION TO DIGITAL CHALLENGES FACED BY FRESH GRADUATES IN THE PRINTING INDUSTRY
