This document outlines a design project aimed at resolving South Africa's textbook crisis. It discusses using research methodologies to understand the textbook ecosystem and define solution strategies. Students work in groups to develop digital and physical prototypes. The project emphasizes a systemic approach and engaging with people affected by the shortage. It also focuses on designing for social transformation and developing solutions that consider the full textbook lifecycle from delivery to learning management.

1. Resolving
the South
African
Textbook
Crisis.
University of Johannesburg - FADA
Design Society Development
South Africa
Terence Fenn

2. Promoter
Terence Fenn
Departments of
Multimedia and
Industrial Design,
University of
Johannesburg
Promoter
Terence Fenn
Departments of
Multimedia and
Industrial Design,
University of
Johannesburg
Aknowledgements.
Collaborators: Jason Hobbs and Chris Bradnum

5. The design
process.
Research methodologies that
facilitate a systemic
understanding of the textbook
ecosystem are utilised to frame
the problem. Groups then apply
a range of synthesis tools
commonly used in Information
Architecture design to define
solution strategies. Strategies
that appear most likely to be
successful are developed into
digital and product prototypes.
The design
process.
Research methodologies that
facilitate a systemic
understanding of the textbook
ecosystem are utilised to frame
the problem. Groups then apply
a range of synthesis tools
commonly used in Information
Architecture design to define
solution strategies. Strategies
that appear most likely to be
successful are developed into
digital and product prototypes.

6. Activism and Civic Participation
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ssoocciiaall ttrraannssffoorrmmaattiioonn
This project foregrounds design as a socially relevant act in which the designer is an agent for positive societal
change. This is important in the education of a design student as all to often design education tends to focus on
commercial design activities so as to make the student ‘job ready’ rather then promoting critical, reflective and empathetic
thinking

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Social Interactions and Relations
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The project encourages students to interact with and engage with people such as teachers, learners and school
principals, who are directly affected by the textbook shortage. Notions of social equity and civic sustainability
were introduced, often by the students, and discussed in relation to the designer’s role in society.

8. Production, Distribution and Consumption
systemic
solutions
A strong focus of the project was on a systemic approach to solving the crisis. Many design solutions focused on
the textbook life cycle from the perspective of delivery, learning management or a combination of both

9. Skill Training and Design Education
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hhuummaann cceennttrreedd eetthhooss
This project forms part of larger design education intervention in the Faculty of Art, Design and Architecture at the
University of Johannesburg that seeks to promote design as a tool for positive social transformation and
development. This project aims to sensitise students to the requirements of designing with and for the other 95%
by applying a human centred ethos and design research methodologies

10. Storytelling and Visualisation
information architecture
‘Golden thread’ from
research to solution
A key component of this project is the integration of a number of the design tools used in Information Architecture
to analyse, synthesis and visualise data. These tools are introduced and used to assist students to manage and
respond to the complexities of societal problems and to ensure that final design solutions retain a strong
conceptual link to insights gained in the research activities.

11. www.designsocietydevelop
ment.org
www.uj.ac.za/fada
tfenn@uj.ac.za
University of Johannesburg - FADA
Design Society Development
South Africa
Terence Fenn