Design Education in the Era of Technology: Considering Visual Perception

Over the last decade, there have been debates concerning the dominance of technology in academic disciplines such as fine arts and graphic design. In addition, advanced imaging devices, such as fMRI and PET scans, have provided researchers with visual information in the field of brain science that may influence these debates. This paper outlines a personal study conducted with undergraduate art students to investigate levels of visual perception and creative development. The purpose was to gather preliminary information that might merit further scientific investigation. From the students studied, the preliminary investigation concluded that artistic traits such as visual memory, perception and a critical eye for detail declined 80% compared with formal research studies conducted in 1944. This paper presents research in the fields of cognition and brain science, suggesting dominant use of technology in the arts retards intellectual and perceptual motor skills.