“Design isn’t just about drawing”- Simon DEFOORT, guest lecturer in the Bachelor in Management and Tech Design
The Bachelor in Management and Tech Design, developed jointly by IÉSEG and Rubika, stands out from other programs traditionally taught at business schools. Over a period of three years, this international program enables students to learn and apply the principles and knowledge relevant to two domains: business and tech. From France to Canada, they learn the basics of tech design and management, and acquire a deep understanding of the creative processes and strategic issues related to innovation. To offer a complete curriculum, courses in general knowledge, personal development, communication and professional development are also part of the program.
To better understand the unique features of this Bachelor’s program, we met with one of the lecturers. Simon DEFOORT, a former designer at Volkswagen, has over 14 years’ experience in automotive design and brand strategy. Co-founder of the “Cycle Creative Club”, he bridges the gap between the world of higher education and the creative and tech industries, bringing together companies and students around innovation topics. Today, he passes on his expertise to Bachelor in Management and Tech Design students.
Taking students out of the classroom
The Bachelor in Management and Tech Design courses are designed to break away from the traditional academic framework and engage students in immersive projects. Simon DEFOORT and his partner, Matthieu LANTERNAT, organize a special “kick-off” at the beginning of the semester: a visit to the heart of Lille to explore the brands that operate there. “We took the students into the city center and asked them to wander around the stores until they spotted a brand that inspired them. Working alone or in pairs, they were asked to take note of their observations and ask questions. The aim was to fully immerse students in the brand’s universe and analyze its identity by looking at the customer experience, the in-store greeting, the atmosphere, etc.” explains Simon DEFOORT.
The students then deepened their reflection by studying the philosophy of the selected brand, the experience it offered and the message it conveyed. “Everyone is familiar with the visual identity of major brands, the logos associated, the colors… but brand identity has nothing to do with coincidence, it tells a story, there is a whole symbolic behind it that reflects the image the brand wishes to represent.” And to take things a step further, participants were asked to put themselves in the shoes of the brand’s Art Director or CEO to re-imagine its branding according to their own vision. Logo, website… everything was reworked before a final presentation at the end of the semester.
This hands-on, immersive approach enables students to develop a sharp analytical eye for brands, while reinforcing their creativity and ability to translate a strategic vision into concrete projects.
Combining different areas of expertise for a global vision
Thanks to a balance of theory, practice, teamwork and mentoring, graduates of the Bachelor in Management and Tech Design program will have all the tools and skills needed to lead digital projects while meeting business constraints. Tech companies often develop very quickly, keeping up with technological and societal developments, and are infused with a strong entrepreneurial spirit, promoting boldness and fostering creativity. Students who want to excel in the Tech field need to embrace this mindset.
According to Simon DEFOORT, the program’s structure fosters a broad understanding of technological and managerial issues: “Even if you don’t become a technical expert, understanding the language and challenges of designers and developers is essential for successfully managing innovative projects. To be a good manager in the Tech industry, you need to be able to inspire your team, and not just tell them what to do without understanding the inner workings of the professions that make up the team. I find that this program broadens students’ horizons by exposing them to a diversity of perspectives. This is what I aim to do in my Creative Thinking course, where I introduce students to the creative process. I instill in them the importance of a diversity of talents to broaden the creative spectrum. Bringing together different areas of expertise is an incredibly rich source of creativity.“
By combining management, creativity and technology on three campuses in two different countries (France and Canada), the Bachelor in Management and Tech Design prepares students to meet tomorrow’s challenges in the world of technological innovation on a global scale.
“My goal is to inspire people and potentially trigger new career paths, while demonstrating that design isn’t just about drawing! It’s a methodology, a way of thinking combined with a touch of creativity, that enables us to bring solutions to business,” concludes Simon DEFOORT.