Thoughts on COLLABOR8 2.0

Building on Richard Buchanan’s (2004) observation that economic development will inevitably connect China to the rest of the world in new and unexpected ways, I argue that designers and design educators, have both the opportunity, and the responsibility, to foster positive cross-cultural collaboration between east and west. Using simple web based technologies and pedagogy based in expression of identity, experience and understanding through exegetic processes focussing student reflection on local cultural landscapes, the COLLABOR8 Project (2003 – 2004) identified the potential for online cross-cultural collaborative e-learning between Australian and Chinese students within the context of vocational design education. The Omnium Research Group based at The College of Fine Arts (UNSW) has over a six-year period developed a platform for the purpose of facilitation and delivery of online design education, research and practice. Given that design educators globally have moved slowly in addressing the changes needed to equip design graduates for work in a global digital paradigm in which China is increasingly central to design and production processes, the Omnium platform presents significant potential to effect positive change in this scenario.

In the realization of an effective online platform Omnium has been prolific in providing opportunities for designers, students and academics to work together collaboratively. This has been achieved in projects such as the ongoing Omnium Creative Network (OCN) and the recent Visualising Issues in Pharmacy Project (VIP) which bring together individuals from across the world in the pursuit of common design based objectives thereby demonstrating that cross cultural collaboration is increasingly viable in online contexts. The Omnium system is also the foundation for delivery of COFA Online’s highly successful and comprehensive undergraduate and postgraduate programs of online art and design education at The College of Fine Arts which are substantiated by a significant, and growing body of research into online learning and collaboration.

Shifts in the practice of design to more collaborative and cross disciplinary approaches using digital networks and global workflows have significant potential in developing patterns of practice that engage positively with China in it's push for design credibility and it’s increasing awareness of the need to invest in culturally appropriate sustainable systems. I aim to demonstrate that through building on the research already carried out by The Omnium Research Group, occidental and oriental educators and designers can develop mutually beneficial understandings of appropriate, sustainable and adaptive cross cultural design practice through online collaboration. The argument presented will advocate the involvement of Chinese and Western design students, researchers