Abstract:

Considerable attention has been paid to school design and it plays a vital role in the learning environment. In literature, several theories have been proposed to explain that the learning environment is a strong component that motivates students of all ages to study and progress. Learning is defined as a relatively long-lasting change in behavior that results from interactive experience and a central part of everyone's life. Students' learning methods are necessary to develop themselves with different learning methods, have an observer's perspective and develop their ability to interpret. The physical environment not only affects the student's learning experience but also significantly increases their observation skills. Design characteristics of learning environments have a major influence on schools that adhere well to effective environmental and educational spaces can expect impressive benefits in student performance. Therefore, students can easily visualize the meaning of different areas of the building that facilitate interaction by the way of layout, between design disciplines. The spatial arrangement of the school affects the character of the learning setting that has a strong correlation to the students' performance. While spatial design and configuration play an important role in triggering the students’ movement, they also affect their interaction patterns and social behaviors. This study aims to find out if and in what ways higher education learning environments have an impact on the style of design students’. The study was carried out in the Faculty of Fine Arts and Design building in the Izmir University of Economics, Turkey. Students from Interior Architecture and Environmental Design, Architecture, Fashion, and Textile Design, Visual Communication Design and Industrial Design departments were asked about their design style through questionnaires. The head of departments was also interviewed about students’ and graduates’ design styles. Results were gathered and categorized into four categories such as; surrounding, classroom, floors and building style. With the questionnaires, the main aim is to find the possible relation of the environmental design elements with the student projects. Findings are believed to be useful for design educators and designers of learning environments, especially for higher education spaces for design. Overall, a comprehensive account of design style, design methods, and the effect of the learning environment on university design students are portrayed.

Keywords:

Design Style, Educational Environment, Design Education, Learning Styles, Performance.