On October 3rd 2019, Dr. Petyo Budakov delivered an open class as a guest lecturer at the McDaniel College in Budapest, Hungary. The workshop was entitled as “Icons & Pictograms – the only language that everyone understands”. Dr. Budakov introduced the students to the fundamentals of pictograms and icons as a keystone of nonverbal and multicultural communication. The lecture interpreted pictograms as a rational language of conceiving, visualizing, organizing and presenting. The class briefly introduced the students with the history and theory of the icons and pictograms as well as enabling them to create concept of pictograms that reflects the exact needs of their target audience. Dr. Budakov illustrated some of his latest research findings that helped the learners to obtain different techniques for assessing the effectiveness of their icons & pictograms.
His lecture considered the pictograms as a symbol that is either free-standing or is set against a background. This hands-on session was also focused on the pictogram form – either as a visible background that integrates the protective area, or simply as an invisible protection around the symbol. The students were thought how to choose colours and forms that coincide with the primary form and colour of the sender’s corporate design.
The participants were extremely delighted by the inspiring talk delivered by Dr. Petyo Budakov. He is a visiting professor at Dekra Hochschule für Medien, Berlin, Germany, senior expert in blended & online learning development as well as a founder of an ad agency and graphic design studio “Budakov Films” which is part of the CreatINNES consortium.
Furthermore, Dr. Budakov presented CreatINNES as a European project funded by the ERASMUS+ funding scheme 2018 – 2021. Behind CreatINNES are six European organizations from Germany, Bulgaria, France, Hungary, and North Macedonia, joined together in a strategic partnership, and dedicated to providing effective solutions to the educational and business needs of the Creative and Cultural Industries (CCI) via ”out-of-the-sector” thinking and goal-oriented training in business development. In addition, CreatINNES develops a learning management system as well as developing two blended learning programs: “Entrepreneurship for CCI freelancers and startups” and “Creative thinking for Innovation”.Furthermore, CreatINNES supports freelancers and startups working in the cultural and creative, audio-visual, and digital sector, entities developing solutions based on cultural heritage and tourism business opportunities, regional multipliers, members of our partnership networks and the stakeholders of the latter.
Besides this, Dr. Budakov Budakov presented the bachelor and the master programs offered by Dekra Hochschule für Medien, University of Applied Sciences as well as illustrating some of the university top-ranked student projects. Dr. Budakov aired: “The cornerstone of the unique pedagogy approach promoted by Dekra Hochschule für Medien is to help students to develop their critical thinking skills as well as creating a positive learning environment by respecting and promoting intellectual diversity. The utilized teaching method aims to encourage peer-to peer interaction (team work on projects) and knowledge co-creation, linked with the industry”. In addition, Dr. Budakov presented some of the latest initiatives, conducted by Prof. Dr. Michael Beuthner, Prof. Franka Futterlieb and Prof. Dr. Udo Bomnüter. His presentation also emphasized on the multiple benefits that the DEKRA’s students obtain during their learning path. “We build a learning community – environment in which ideas are shared, knowledge is creating dialogue of one to many and many to many are encouraged. Furthermore, the classroom is devised as an outlet for students to get a taste of realizing their work.”, shared with the audience, Dr. Budakov. In terms of the practical aspects of the programs, he stated: “In Dekra Hochschule für Medien we work in a close conjunction with some of the leading employers in the industry which are frequently invited into the classroom to share their experience of the application of the subject and to give insights into their work. Therefore, we proudly claim that our curriculum is more relevant and integrate vital and discipline-relevant career management guidance.”
However, McDaniel College, Westminster, MD, was founded in 1867, and is one of the first coeducational colleges in the United States. It was originally named after the Western Maryland Railroad Company, whose president offered a generous donation for the building of the first residence halls on College Hill in Westminster, the seat of Carroll County, in Maryland. The college was renamed McDaniel College in 2002, in honour of William Roberts McDaniel, a distinguished member of the college community – a graduate, later professor, President and Trustee in the first decade of the twentieth century – whose leadership greatly contributed to the growth of the institution.
The Budapest campus of McDaniel College was established in 1994. It is located in a beautifully restored, turn of the century school building. Since its founding, more than 200 students who began their studies in Budapest have graduated from McDaniel College.
Finally, after a long Q&A session, Dr. Budakov closed the event with the famous Kofi Annan’s line: “Knowledge is power. Information is liberating. Education is the premise of progress, in every society, in every family.”