For the question of “How much did the capacity to utilize computer data management
A Study on Cultivation
software help you in getting a job or starting your own business?”, the average value of the single sample t-test was 2.92, t(3128) = 26.779, p < .05, which meets the criteria of “quite helpful”. Furthermore the sample average of 2.92 is higher than 2.5 indicating that being capable of utilizing computer data management software was quite helpful in getting a job or starting your own business. Therefore the students considered school quite helpful in developing students’ computer and information technology abilities. Furthermore Lai Li-Jun’s study (2003) indicates that both design experts and the industry emphasize the importance of
“integration of image and text” and “ability to utilize information”. Hence it is clear that school was quite helpful in terms of providing training and education to enhance the computer and information technology abilities of students.
of Employability of Visual Communication Designers in Taiwan
For the question of “How much did the capacity to utilize computer graphic software help you in getting a job or starting your own business?”, the average value of the single sample t-test was 3.08, t(1610) = 19.749, p < .05, which meets the criteria of “quite helpful”.
Furthermore the sample average of 3.08 is higher than 2.5 indicating that the being capable of utilizing computer graphic software was quite helpful in getting a job or starting your own business. Therefore the students considered the education received in university as quite helpful in developing the professional abilities demanded by the VCD industry. The ultimate reason may be that the designers are more familiar with computer software as an aiding tool for project design and proposal. These aiding tools can effectively enhance the efficiency of product designing; however, they can also cause new designers to neglect the conventional hand drawing techniques. Syu Yan, Jhang Wun-Jhih, and Yang Geng-Sian’s research (2007) demonstrate that computer aided designs can speed up the integration of R&D product and its color simulation effect and speed are superior to the conventional graphic software. This question coincides with Liou Ruei-Cih’s interview result (2004) which states that the proficiency in professional software will increase the opportunity for employment. The experts and the companies interviewed in Lai Li-Jun’s study (2003) point out that the Illustrator and Photoshop software were also the ones utilized by the VCD industry.
For the question of “How much did the capacity to utilize Chinese and English word processing software help you in getting a job or starting up your own business?”, the average value of the single sample t-test was 2.74, t(1610) = 9.882, p < .05, which meets the criteria of “quite helpful”. Furthermore the sample average of 2.74 is higher than 2.5 indicating that the Chinese and English word processing capacity was quite helpful in getting a job or starting your own business. Therefore the students considered the education received in university was quite helpful for the development of Chinese and English word processing
A Study on Cultivation of Employability of Visual Communication Designers in Taiwan
capacity.
For the question of “How much did the capacity to utilize the web page software help you in getting a job or starting your own business?”, the average value of the single sample t-test was 2.48, t(1610) = -0.691, p < .05, which fails to meet the criteria of “quite helpful”.
Furthermore the sample average of 2.48 is lower than 2.5 indicating that the capacity to utilize web page software was not quite helpful in getting a job or starting your own business.
Therefore the students felt that there is room for improvement in terms of schools providing training and education for developing the capacity to utilize web page software utilization.
The ultimate reason may be that the early VCD departments were developed based on graphic design and commercial design thus most trainings were emphasized on graphic and visual aspects. Additionally the computer web page skills involve program design which relies heavily on mathematics and logical reasoning. As a result the learning response received from students was below expectation.
In response to the question “How is it helpful for you to find a job or create a business with computer multimedia software (Flash, After Effect)?” the sample average is 2.43, t(1610 )= -2.643, p < .05, which doesn’t reach the level of “very helpful.” The sample average 2.43 is lower than 2.5, so respondents do not believe computer multimedia software are “very helpful.” This corresponds to research done by Xu Yan, Zhang Wen-Zhi and Yang Geng-Xian (2007), which indicate that many university departments have provided courses related to computer-assisted design and changed hand-drawing courses into optional courses. Many new designers, as a result, are not equipped with sufficient draft-drawing ability, which is an economic and fast communicational channel in the process, and which affects how ideas are developed. This is a basic professional skill that designers should acquire. It is suggested that a balance be reached between computer software application and hand-drawing in curriculum.
As for the question “How is it helpful for you to find a job or create a business with computer professional application software (accounting, Matlab, SPSS)?” the sample average is 1.77, t(1603) = -28.207, p < .05, which doesn’t reach the level of “very helpful.” The sample average 1.77 is lower than 2.5, so respondents do not believe computer professional application software is “very helpful.” Students think there is room for improvement in courses related to computer professional application software (accounting, Matlab, SPSS).
A Study on Cultivation of Employability of
4.3. Professional Attitudes
Visual Communication Designers in Taiwan
According to Table 7, regarding the question “How is it helpful for you to understand different philosophy, culture and lifestyle in school?” the sample average is 2.66, t(3121) = 9.954, p < .05, which is regarded as “very helpful.” The sample average 2.66 is higher than 2.5, so respondents believe in the field of understanding different philosophy, culture, and lifestyle, university courses are very helpful in the VCD field.
In respect of the question “How is it helpful for you to learn to appreciate literature, arts, music and theater in school?” respondents think it “very helpful” as the sample average 3.23 is higher than 2.5. This is also in correspondence to research conducted by Xu Yan, Zhang Wen-Zhi and Yang Geng-Xian (2007), Luh (2004), Yang Min-Zhou (2002), Lai Li-Jun (2003), and He Xin-Zhu (1996). The research, experts, researchers and practitioners all emphasize the importance of aesthetics in the field of VCD.
As for the question “How is it helpful for you to learn to cooperate with others at school?” the sample average is 3.07, t(3128) = 39.943, p < .05, which is regarded as “very helpful.” The sample average 2.66 is higher than 2.5, so respondents believe in the field of cooperating with others, university courses are very helpful in VCD area. To graduate, every student is required to cooperate with others to participate in large-scale exhibitions in the very last year at school, and cooperation is common in daily training. Xu Yan, Zhang Wen-Zhi and Yang Geng-Xian (2007) also point out designers should be optimistic, enthusiastic, spontaneous, and willing to cooperate and learn.
As to the question “How is it helpful for you to learn to get along with others with different backgrounds in school?” the sample average is 2.99, t(3128) = 32.678, p < .05, which is regarded as “very helpful”. The sample average 2.99 is higher than 2.5, so respondents believe in the field of getting along with others with different backgrounds, university courses are very helpful in VCD area.
As to the question “How is it helpful for you to learn to handle multiple problems in school?” the sample average is 2.83, t(3128)=20.518, p<.05, which is regarded as “very helpful.” The sample average 2.83 is higher than 2.5, so respondents believe in the field of handling multiple problems, university courses are very helpful in VCD area.
As to the question “How is it helpful for you to learn self-discipline in school?” the sample average is 2.79, t(3128)=18.634, p<.05, which is regarded as “very helpful.” The sample average 2.79 is higher than 2.5, so respondents believe in the field of learning self-discipline, university courses are very helpful in VCD area. The most distinct
A Study on Cultivation of Employability of Visual Communication Designers in Taiwan
characteristic of a designer is “self-discipline.”
Table 6. The questionnaire of employability based on single sample t-test to Class 2004 after one year of graduation
speech and express yourself at school?
3129 **8.073 3128 2.63 0.901 2
How is it helpful for you to have an
international perspective at school? 3121 **2.221 3120 2.54 0.945 3 How is it helpful for you to improve
your reading skills at school? 3129 **-9.762 3128 2.35 0.846 4 How is it helpful for you to improve
math, logical thinking and analytical skills at school?
3116 **-17.564 3115 2.22 0.896 5
How is it helpful for you to
understand history at school? 3129 **-22.264 3128 2.16 0.85 6 How is it helpful for you to learn
foreign languages at school? 3129 **-22.54 3128 2.13 0.908 7 Basic
Skills
Basic Concepts
How is it helpful for you to learn
financial management at school? 3113 **-22.15 3112 2.11 0.989 8 How is it helpful for you to find a
job or create a business with computer information ability? job or create a business with computer graphics skills?
1611 **19.749 1,610 3.08 1.17 2
How is it helpful for you to find a job or create a business with word processing skills in Chinese and English?
1611 **9.882 1,610 2.74 0.97 3
How is it helpful for you to find a job or create a business with Web software skills?
1611 **-0.691 1,610 2.48 1.11 4
How is it helpful for you to find a job or create a business with computer multimedia software (Flash, After Effect)?
1611 **-2.643 1,610 2.43 1.11 5
How is it helpful for you to find a job or create a business with computer professional application software (accounting, Matlab, SPSS)?
1603 **-28.207 1,602 1.77 1.03 6
How is it helpful for you to learn to appreciate literature, arts, music and theater at school?
3129 **51.054 3128 3.23 0.801 1
How is it helpful for you to learn to
cooperate with others at school? 3129 **39.943 3128 3.07 0.793 2 How is it helpful for you to learn to
get along with others with different backgrounds at school?
3129 **32.678 3128 2.99 0.835 3
How is it helpful for you to learn to
handle multiple problems at school? 3129 **20.518 3128 2.83 0.899 4 How is it helpful for you to learn
self-discipline at school? 3129 **18.634 3128 2.79 0.882 5 culture and lifestyle at school?
3121 **9.954 3120 2.66 0.894 6 A Study on Cultivation
of Employability of Visual Communication Designers in Taiwan