Locating the critical space in teaching graphic design and new media

Theory is often thought of as a carrybag into to which is tossed various ideas, -isms, concepts and thoughts that can then be "welded" to graphic design products in a concrete and vivid way -- a notion of theory as value-added service. We end up with a split between theory and design which defeats the role of theory as a critical and analytical part of the design business or education program. This article argues that it is a false economy to have such an oppositional split between theory and practice or studies and production.