Design Begins with Perspective at Northbridge International School Cambodia

By Cade Sommerville

Secondary Design Teacher

When a student enters our Design workshop for the first time—curious and perhaps a bit unsure—they may not see themselves as a designer. Yet, they already are. Design isn't confined to sketchbooks or software; it begins with the simple act of noticing. When we encounter a challenge—no matter how small—and start thinking about how to resolve it, we are engaging in design. From birth, we are natural problem-solvers. The challenge, especially in education, is recognizing and refining that ability.

In our Design department, one of our key responsibilities is to help students become more aware of this instinct—to see themselves not just as learners, but as thinkers and creators. Problem-solving becomes more meaningful when approached with intention, and that's what Design offers: a space to think critically, iterate, and respond to real-world needs.

This year marks an exciting milestone for us at NISC. Our first cohort of students will graduate from the new Diploma Programme Design Technology course—a rigorous and conceptually rich subject that asks students to engage deeply with the design cycle, explore technological innovation, and demonstrate both practical skills and academic thinking. These students are leaving with portfolios that showcase not just finished products, but the messy, iterative path that led there. It's this journey—from idea to prototype, from challenge to solution—that defines true design thinking.

Looking ahead, we are preparing to enroll our MYP students in the Design E-Portfolio from next year, aligning with the IB's emphasis on inquiry, reflection, and documentation. This means our students must grow comfortable not just with creating, but with analyzing their process—capturing those moments of trial and error, questioning assumptions, and justifying their decisions. The messy sketches, half-built models, and pages of annotation are not detours; they are the process. They are the learning.

From Grade 6 onward, students at NISC begin building the foundations for success. They explore materials and manufacturing processes, develop visual literacy, experiment with CAD and physical modeling, and learn how to communicate complex ideas with clarity and purpose.
But none of this happens by accident. Taking ownership of learning is essential. Without that, it's easy to drift through. With it, our students gain the skills—and the mindset—to shape the world around them.

Because in the end, design is not just something we teach at NISC. It's something we live.