The Impact of Merging Visual Practice with Research in Theoretical Courses of Arts & Design Programs (An Analytical Study with an Instructional Design Model and its Application on Students)

This paper focuses on the importance of embedding practical visual implementation in theoretical courses in curricula of Arts & Design Programs in the form of multidisciplinary major projects encompassing theoretical research and artistic practical visual implementation as assignments for these courses. For the researcher finds this amalgam of multidisciplinary practice a necessity in theoretical courses covered in Visual Arts & Design curricula as it results in intensifying and fixating the knowledge in the students mind throughout merging the acquired data with practical implementation within the limits of the theoretical course itself.

The paper will explicitly highlight an instructional design model accomplished by the researcher based on the integration of theoretical research and practical visual implementation in the form of major projects assigned to students and its application on the Graphic Design History Course; part of the Graphics & Media Art Department Program in the Faculty of Art & Design, MSA University, Egypt, where the researcher was assigned to construct, design and teach the course among other courses during the establishment of the Program and Faculty as a whole.

The study will thoroughly present the model course topics as well as the structured multidisciplinary projects assigned to students, elaborating on their purpose and impact on students’ perception, understanding and awareness. It will also present selected samples of the final outcomes of each project achieved by students, proving that such an instructional design approach stands valid, sustainable and gains solid ground in the development process of the student throughout the entire program.