Building our nation: Digital tools are central to skill development in the digital economy. – 123rf.com
As digital transformation accelerates, Malaysia’s digital economy is projected to contribute 25.5% of the nation’s gross domestic product by the end of the year.
This growth underscores the urgent need to equip individuals with a strong foundation in digital competencies, enabling graduates to meet job market demands and support Malaysia’s aspiration of becoming a regional digital powerhouse. The nation has already attracted RM185.3bil in digital investments from 2021 to June 2024, signalling robust expansion in the sector.
Amid this momentum, the design industry faces a unique opportunity to remain relevant by integrating digitisation into its practices and adopting a multidisciplinary approach.
Higher education institutions (HEIs) stand at the forefront of this transformation, shaping the talent pipeline through the sharing of knowledge, opportunities and experiences. The critical question is no longer whether to adapt, but rather how swiftly HEIs can realign their curricula, to meet the demands of current industry standards.
Digital tools are no longer supplementary in education; they are central to skill development in the digital economy. From virtual reality to artificial intelligence (AI), these technologies offer students immersive and interactive learning experiences that traditional methods cannot replicate.
For instance, digital design has grown in importance as products and services increasingly migrate to digital and online platforms, often replacing physical transactions. This shift underscores the urgent need for competent digital designers, as digital literacy is essentially the architect of the digital interface.
Digital designers integrate a seamless combination of brand design, UX (user experience) design and UI (user interface) design to create cohesive user-centric web and mobile applications. Not only that, but the rising demand for advanced features such as analytics-led e-commerce, Global Positioning System location tracking, AI, and mixed-reality experiences presents unique challenges for digital designers.
These challenges would require out-of-the-box design solutions that integrate technologies to enhance user experience while meeting service providers’ needs.
By integrating various tools like generative AI and collaborative prototype-building apps, HEIs can prepare students with hands-on experience and critical thinking skills that are crucial in crafting seamless digital interfaces that cater to users’ needs.
Similarly, the fashion industry has also blossomed with the birth of fashion influencers and augmented reality, leading to bright prospects in the digital and creative sector. Fashion design technology blends creativity with technology to revolutionise how clothing is designed, constructed and marketed.
This tactile industry is shifting to AI-driven design tools that allow students and professionals to predict trends, suggest design elements, and optimise production processes.
With a practical approach and knowledge of tools, graduates gain technical proficiency while developing critical skills like adaptability, creativity, and ethical decision-making that will address consumer expectations for customisation, sustainability and convenience.
To maximise impact and contribute talents to the digital workforce, HEIs must ensure a steadfast readiness for digital learning principles among academia throughout all faculties.
This change necessitates a paradigm shift away from conventional, lecture-based methods to a more dynamic and interactive learning setting.
The path forward requires collective action, resource allocation, and a willingness to embrace a future where digital literacy transcends disciplinary boundaries.
The answer is clear – HEIs bear the responsibility to innovate and adapt their curricula, teaching methods and institutional strategies to align with industry demands.
By doing so, HEIs will not only contribute to Malaysia’s digital economy but also empower a generation of learners to lead and innovate in the digital age.
Hijjaz Aziz and Reyilan Ainaidu are programme directors for the Diploma in Digital Design and Diploma in Design Fashion Technology, respectively, at the School of Diploma and Professional Studies at Taylor’s College. With over a decade of experience, Hijjaz’s expertise includes multimedia design curriculum development and programme management. Meanwhile, Reyilan is passionate about equipping students with the skills and creativity needed to thrive in the ever-evolving fashion industry. With over a decade of experience in fashion education, she has held key roles in leadership, curriculum development and programme management. The views expressed here are the writers’ own.
