Mindful Creative Podcast: The Future of Design Education, Creative Confidence, and Sparking Curiosity with Diana Varma

Episode Title: The future of design education, creative confidence and sparking curiosity - Diana Varma
Release Date: February 3, 2025
Host: Radim Malinic
Guest: Diana Varma, Design Educator at Toronto Metropolitan University

Introduction

In this enlightening episode of the Mindful Creative Podcast, Radim Malinic delves deep into the evolving landscape of design education with Diana Varma, a passionate design educator from Toronto Metropolitan University. Diana brings a wealth of experience from her diverse background in print production, health and safety training, and her current role as Vice President of Education on the Board of Directors for the RGD, Canada's largest professional association for graphic designers. The conversation weaves through Diana’s unconventional journey into teaching, her innovative educational philosophies, and her insights on fostering creative confidence and curiosity among students.

Diana Varma’s Background and Journey

Diana begins by painting a vivid picture of her multifaceted career path. She describes herself as a "curious human," always experimenting and dabbling in various creative mediums. Her transition from print production to academia was not linear but marked by a series of exploratory ventures that ultimately led her to a fulfilling career in education.

Radim (04:50): "So how did you find yourself in teaching? Was there ever a plan or how did you get into it? What's your background?"

Diana (04:50): "Oh, it's a long story. I have no formal teaching education, but I have been a teacher since I can remember... teaching 2,500 people how to do first aid in CPR."

This early experience in informal teaching roles laid the foundation for her eventual move into higher education. Her stint running a small health and safety company served as a "masterclass in creativity," granting her full creative control and igniting her passion for iterative and experimental approaches in her work.

Upon returning to her alma mater, Diana was offered opportunities to teach progressively more courses, eventually amassing experience in teaching up to 90 university-level courses. Her passion for teaching formalized over the past 12 to 14 years, allowing her to intertwine her technical expertise in print production with her creative aspirations.

Creative Confidence and Curiosity in Education

Diana emphasizes the importance of fostering creative confidence and curiosity among students. She advocates for a growth mindset over the traditional focus on perfection and comparison. This philosophy is rooted in her belief that students should strive to "outgrow their previously non-fitting shells" rather than compete against their peers.

Diana (00:50): "If we can help them understand that they are not racing against others, they are simply trying to outgrow their previously non-fitting shells. They're trying to be better than they were yesterday."

Radim appreciates this perspective, highlighting the significance of creativity emerging from confidence. Diana introduces specifications grading as a key component of her educational approach. This method involves setting clear competencies that students must meet, thereby allowing them the freedom to explore and experiment without the pressure of traditional grading systems.

Diana (28:27): "I use something called specifications grading in much of my courses... the idea is you can try, you can take risks, you don't have to worry about going the safe route to get an A."

This system not only maintains academic rigor but also encourages intrinsic motivation and curiosity. By decoupling grades from creative output, Diana creates an environment where students feel empowered to take risks and embrace the creative process.

Redefining Success

A pivotal theme in the conversation is the redefinition of success. Diana urges students and creatives alike to define success on their own terms, rather than adhering to societal or institutional metrics. She shares exercises designed to help individuals identify what success truly means to them.

Diana (42:22): "If you could think about success in terms of inputs, what words come to mind? Or how might you define success?"

One such exercise is the "Creative Cousins" activity, where individuals identify creative figures they admire and analyze the qualities that inspire them. This helps in building personalized definitions of success based on admiration and aspiration rather than external validation.

Diana (44:00): "Another thing that I really like to do is an exercise that I call creative cousins... you go, oh, I would love to live that creative life 10, 20, 30 years from now, and figuring out who those people are and then trying to attach words to why we appreciate them."

This exercise not only fosters self-awareness but also encourages students to align their creative pursuits with their intrinsic values and interests.

Handling Creativity and Confidence in a Hyper-Connected World

The modern creative landscape is heavily influenced by social media and constant connectivity, which can both inspire and intimidate. Diana addresses the pressure to succeed quickly and the detrimental effects of constant comparison facilitated by platforms like Instagram and Pinterest.

Diana (41:44): "If we can help them understand that they are not racing against others... If we're working towards growth and progress, not perfection, not comparison, I think that goes a very long way to reassuring them."

She introduces a lobster analogy to illustrate continuous personal growth:

Diana (39:55): "Lobsters never stop growing. And a lobster will grow until their shell quite literally does not fit anymore... They keep growing and all of a sudden they have to shed their next shell."

This analogy emphasizes the importance of ongoing development and the natural cycles of growth and renewal, encouraging students to view their creative journey as an evolving process rather than a race against others.

Encouraging Failure and the Process Over Product

Diana advocates for embracing failure as a fundamental component of creative growth. By providing students with opportunities to fail safely, she fosters resilience and adaptability. She distinguishes between lowercase 'f' fail—minor setbacks—and uppercase 'F' Fail—defining moments that can derail confidence if not properly managed.

Diana (37:39): "Giving students opportunities to fail. ... I can only do so much to plant that in there, and they have to embody and figure it out for themselves, which is both easy and difficult."

This approach aligns with her specifications grading system, where meeting competencies is prioritized over arbitrary grades, thus reducing the fear of failure and encouraging a focus on the learning process.

Diana’s Vision for the Future of Design Education

Looking ahead, Diana envisions a shift away from traditional grading systems towards more flexible and student-centered approaches. She expresses a desire to eliminate grades altogether, although she acknowledges the systemic constraints within the university framework.

Diana (28:27): "I would get rid of grades. Grades suck... I believe there still needs to be curriculum... just lots of feedback and yes, you've done the check mark item, therefore you're working towards whatever grade you want in the course."

Her advocacy for specifications grading serves as a compromise, maintaining accountability while promoting creativity and personal growth. She highlights the effectiveness of this system in enhancing student engagement and intrinsic motivation.

Innovative Educational Practices

Diana employs several innovative practices to build trust and engagement in her large classes:

1. Learning Students’ Names: Despite the challenge of managing large classes, Diana prioritizes learning as many student names as possible to build rapport and trust.

   Diana (26:22): "I make a really important point. I don't know everyone's name, but I make it a point to learn names... Building bridges has been so important and so fundamental to building trust in the classroom."

2. Student Choice in Projects: She offers students the freedom to choose their project topics, which significantly boosts their enthusiasm and investment in their work.

   Diana (26:22): "For example, I teach a magazine making course and students get to choose what kind of magazine they want to make. It's completely up to them. And all of a sudden you get this like massive buy-in..."

3. Personalized Feedback: Instead of traditional grades, Diana provides detailed feedback based on specific competencies, allowing students to focus on meeting clear objectives without the pressure of grades dictating their creativity.

Personal Anecdotes and Inspirational Figures

Throughout the episode, Diana shares personal stories and highlights influential figures who have shaped her educational philosophy:

• Mary Black: Diana recounts her pivotal encounter with Mary Black, a trailblazing leader in the Canadian printing industry, whose confidence and leadership deeply inspired her.

  Diana (10:29): "Mary Black was just like a real badass... her leadership and the way she moved through the world was inspirational for sure."

• Creative Cousins: Beyond professional figures, Diana draws inspiration from her own children, referring to them as her "creative cousins" for their unfiltered creativity and willingness to experiment.

  Diana (47:05): "My kids are kind of my creative cousins because I see the way that they approach their work... she was making a Batman mask out of a snowflake."

These anecdotes underscore the importance of role models and personal experiences in shaping one’s creative and educational journey.

Strategies for Building Curiosity and Engagement

Diana emphasizes the role of curiosity in sustaining long-term engagement and success in creative fields. She advises educators to understand their students' interests and backgrounds to create meaningful connections and inspire exploration.

Diana (26:18): "There's gateways into people's curiosity. So I think part of that is understanding the students in front of you and understanding what they really enjoy..."

By tailoring assignments and feedback to individual interests, Diana ensures that learning remains personal and relevant, thereby fostering a deeper connection to the material and encouraging continuous exploration.

Balancing Intrinsic Motivation and External Feedback

While advocating for reduced reliance on traditional grading, Diana acknowledges the importance of feedback in the learning process. Her specifications grading system strikes a balance by offering clear competencies that guide students while providing ample feedback to support their growth.

Diana (28:27): "Feedback is incredibly important... just we have lots of feedback and yes, you've done the check mark item, therefore you're working towards whatever grade you want in the course."

This approach demystifies the grading process, making it a tool for improvement rather than a judgment of worth, thereby aligning assessment methods with the goal of enhancing creative confidence and curiosity.

Overcoming Challenges in Redefining Education

Diana candidly discusses the challenges of implementing innovative educational methods within existing institutional frameworks. She highlights the tension between her progressive grading system and the traditional demands of the university to assign final grades.

Diana (30:24): "I don't think there's a bad time to learn... there still needs to be curriculum... very strategic kind of intention behind the courses..."

Despite these challenges, Diana remains committed to evolving her teaching practices, constantly experimenting with new methods to better support her students' creative journeys.

Encouraging Continuous Learning and Adaptability

A recurring theme in Diana’s philosophy is the importance of lifelong learning. She encourages students to maintain their curiosity and adaptability beyond their formal education, viewing learning as a continuous, cumulative process.

Diana (19:55): "It's constant, it's cumulative, it's curiosity fueled."

By instilling this mindset, Diana prepares her students to navigate the ever-changing landscape of the creative industry with resilience and innovation.

Conclusion

The episode concludes with Diana reflecting on the transformative power of integrating creativity with confidence. She asserts that when individuals are confident in their creative abilities, they are more willing to take risks, embrace failures, and remain engaged in the creative process.

Diana (35:21): "When creativity meets confidence, we are less afraid to try, we're less afraid to fail... the actual final result is a small sliver of the reason I'm doing it."

Radim praises Diana’s approach, recognizing it as a powerful toolkit for unlocking potential and nurturing the next generation of creatives. The conversation leaves listeners with profound insights into the future of design education, emphasizing the need for flexibility, curiosity, and a redefined understanding of success in fostering creative confidence.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps:

• Diana Varma (00:50): "If we can help them understand that they are not racing against others, they are simply trying to outgrow their previously non-fitting shells."

• Diana Varma (28:27): "I use something called specifications grading in much of my courses... the idea is you can try, you can take risks, you don't have to worry about going the safe route to get an A."

• Diana Varma (41:44): "If we can help them understand that they are not racing against others... If we're working towards growth and progress, not perfection, not comparison, I think that goes a very long way to reassuring them."

• Diana Varma (44:00): "Another thing that I really like to do is an exercise that I call creative cousins... you go, oh, I would love to live that creative life 10, 20, 30 years from now..."

• Diana Varma (35:21): "When creativity meets confidence, we are less afraid to try, we're less afraid to fail, we're less afraid of the final result..."

Takeaways for Listeners

1. Embrace Non-linear Paths: Diana’s journey underscores that success in creative fields often comes from varied experiences and exploratory ventures rather than a straight path.

2. Foster Creativity Through Confidence: Building self-assurance in creative abilities allows individuals to take risks and innovate without the paralyzing fear of failure.

3. Redefine Success Personally: Encouraging individuals to define what success means to them can lead to more meaningful and fulfilling creative endeavors.

4. Implement Innovative Educational Practices: Approaches like specifications grading and offering project choices can significantly enhance student engagement and intrinsic motivation.

5. Promote Lifelong Learning: Cultivating a mindset of continuous curiosity and adaptability prepares creatives to thrive in an ever-evolving industry.

6. Balance Feedback with Freedom: Providing clear competencies and constructive feedback while allowing creative freedom strikes a healthy balance between guidance and independence.

7. Encourage Resilience: Allowing space for failure and learning from mistakes builds resilience, an essential trait for sustained creative success.

Final Thoughts

This episode of the Mindful Creative Podcast offers a compelling exploration of modern design education through the lens of Diana Varma’s innovative practices and philosophies. By prioritizing creative confidence and curiosity, Diana presents a transformative approach to nurturing future creatives, one that aligns with the dynamic demands of the 21st-century creative landscape. Her insights provide valuable guidance for educators, students, and professionals seeking to cultivate a more engaging, resilient, and fulfilling creative journey.