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A Tribe of Designers: Designing To Learn Networked Learning Space


After last week’s discussion and exploration in “tribes” by review of two articles by Jeff Goins: Finding Your Tribe May Be the Hardest Thing You Do, and Three Important Steps to Building a Killer Tribe, and another Ted talk by Seth Godin The tribes we lead, I think I am ready to apply these concepts to the networked learning space project. The NLS that will be created for course work in INTE 5665, and out of personal and professional interest, is Designing To Learn. Designing To Learn network provides resources to engage and motivate members to be productive by learning through practicing design. I do believe there is a need for organized and directed multi-discipline study of design as we move through this century.

Firstly, I think this network is helpful for anyone trying to engage and communicate effectively in web 2.0 practices such as blogging, creating a website, creating a logo, and a whole host of artistic and creative things typical educational paths has not lead one to be proficient in. Secondly, those who are learning about design, which should be just about everyone who does design for a living, or those who are enrolled in college for design, should be looking for inspiration from multiple sources outside of their niche disciplines. Additionally, knowledge and skills needed to be successful in design in the 21st century cannot be obtained through typical education. The needs of society and the rate of change in the design disciplines is beyond the scope of courses for credit. In other words, successful designers should be connected to communities of inspiration and practice.

To help myself clarify my own intentions for the “tribe” I intend to create, I will look for guidance in Jeff Goins 3 Steps:


1. Be as personal as you can be...


I’m going to be honest, I don’t really share too many personal things to the world via social media. I may be guilty of a couple “fur baby” pictures and rants about racism and equality on Facebook, but other than that I try to keep my personal stuff out of the limelight. However I think when it comes to my own successes and failings as a designer and student I’m an open book. I’ve definitely been feeling the burn lately with being an instructor and designer AND grad student. I’m willing to share what I can without breaking professional boundaries.

2. Stay relevant to your audience…


This one is tricky. What I think is relevant may not be to the community. Because many of the entries to the community may be selected and curated by me, I intend to follow what I see trending and post more things like that. For now I intend to mix it up and pull from many resources until I find what sticks. The other challenge with relevancy is feedback. I’m still wondering about all the different ways I can get the community involved with feedback, other than “liking” something. This may result in finding a niche for this community that I did not expect.

3. Create mouth-watering anticipation…


Another challenge. How can this be done? I think first and foremost people can anticipate new posts to the community at least every other day in order to keep them engaged. Perhaps I can create weekly tutorials and freebies like downloadable Photoshop brushes, 3D assets, and drawing demos. Of course this takes a lot of time, but I’m hoping my dedication would be reciprocated by the community.

So what do you think? Are you ready to join this tribe?
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