Background and Overview

The Pablo Picasso School of Art and Superior Design in A Coruña, Spain, sought to enhance its new media curriculum by integrating the Digital Designer Certification program. This self-paced, interactive online course was selected for its comprehensive approach, suitable for students in Graphic Design, Audio Production, Multimedia Design, Digital Product Design, Web Development, UX, and UI Design. The program covers everything from idea inception to final digital production, aligning perfectly with the school’s vision for a forward-thinking digital design education.

Engagement and Needs Analysis

Initial engagement involved discussions between the school’s leadership and the eLearning development team to assess the school’s specific educational needs. The needs analysis identified the importance of including regional Spanish, and European design practices, local case studies, and a focus on collaborative, interdisciplinary projects. The goal was to ensure that the program not only met global digital design standards but also resonated with the broader cultural and educational contexts of Spain and Europe.

Customization and SME Integration

Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) were engaged to customize the program. The content was enriched with examples specific to Spanish and European contexts, sustainable design practices, and discussions on integrating traditional art forms from these regions into modern digital design. Collaborative projects were introduced, simulating real-world scenarios that required teamwork, reflecting the school’s interdisciplinary focus.

Production Process and Stakeholder Touchpoints

The production process involved continuous collaboration with the school’s faculty and stakeholders. The customized content was developed, reviewed, and refined based on feedback from a committee of faculty and student representatives. The final version underwent rigorous testing to ensure functionality and alignment with the school’s technical capabilities.

Localisation into Castilian and Galician Spanish

Being located in A Coruña, Spain and given Galicia’s linguistic diversity, the program was localised into both Castilian and Galician Spanish. This process involved not just translation but also cultural adaptation. Local and European examples and references were integrated to ensure the content was relevant and resonated with students. User testing confirmed the effectiveness of the localization before the program’s official launch.

Conclusion

The successful customization and localization of the Digital Designer Certification for the Pablo Picasso School of Art and Superior Design demonstrate the power of collaboration and cultural adaptation. This program now serves as a vital resource in the school’s curriculum, preparing students for success in the global digital design industry while remaining deeply connected to their regional, national, and European contexts.