I get this feeling each time I land back in Europe, sooner or later. I walk down the street and see a house, a skyscraper, maybe even a shop window. I smile – if I walk with a friend who gets it, they smile as well.

100 years ago, one of the most influential schools of architecture and design was founded – the Bauhaus. As we celebrate its centenary (hey – it even got a Google Doodle), it could be interesting to see how Bauhaus design principles can be used elsewhere. Specifically – can Bauhaus design influence lifelong learning? 

What were Bauhaus design rules?

This is one of those fortunate occasions where a movement – or a set of ideas – quickly becomes organised into a formal structure. Bauhaus art found its platform in the school founded in Germany, and later – after the school closed in the 1930s – in the designs, buildings, and influences all over the world.

As a result, many artists and architects are influenced by Bauhaus design or philosophy today, and the ideas are clearly described in lots of sources. I can definitely recommend this brilliant summary of Bauhaus provided by Tate – and of course, the Wikipedia page.

What about Bauhaus design in education and learning?

Although the movement had its own school and teachers, a lot of the thinking about Bauhaus immediately focuses on its applications in art and architecture. I think there is a lot to learn from the way its teachers, artists, designers and students approached the process of thinking and learning. Bauhaus design works for ideas and memory just as much as for houses, sculptures or typewriters. Here are three ideas you could use to start inspiring your own adult learning.

Design flows from function

I thought about this today as I logged into Memrise and noticed their new interface. This language learning app has long been a favourite of mine, but the way it looked was always overwhelming – there were spaceships and gardens, and lots of colours, and it all got in the way of learning and dragged my attention towards all those mini-projects and gamification experiments that were going on.

Not any more. The app helps me learn my Portuguese and shows me how well I’m doing. The extraneous bits got removed.

For many, this will be a signal that Memrise is no longer attractive to use. For me, this means that Memrise folks thought long and hard about what they were doing, went back to start with “Why?” and, in true Bauhaus style, decided to help its design reflect its function.

You can do this too – at any stage of your learning project. Take a look at what you need, what you have, what you want it to look like. Start with “Why?” – why are you learning this? What is the function of what you are about to learn? Then go on to design your learning experience with your function in mind.

Meaning flows from you

Walter Gropius, Bauhaus’ founder, apparently said: “Only work which is the product of inner compulsion can have spiritual meaning.” I like this quote, because it applies to learning and intellect as much as to spirituality.

The lesson above, the one about function and design, links with the one about your personal meaning. As a learner, you are responsible for your work. It is your job to find what drives you, to seek for that inner compulsion. And then, stay connected to it in your learning and creativity.

This can still be seen in many Bauhaus designs – it’s hard to describe, but equally hard to deny that they meant something to their creators, just as they mean something to those who look.

Art depends on society

This idea was not new for Bauhaus. William Morris was the most likely inspiration for it. The result of this concept – that the needs of society should be the main ispiration for art – are far-reaching.

For learners, but also for educators, this thought is worth bearing in mind. Why do you want to learn a foreign language? Who will you speak to – what do the people want to talk about? Or, if you’re teaching someone – who do you want your language learners to speak to? How do you want them to interact with the people you have in mind?

It’s not just about languages, either. Beginning a learning project of any kind can be a chance for you to influence the outside world. What programming languages can make a difference in your community? What kind of cooking would most delight your neighbours? Where can you use your new DIY skills?

You very rarely learn in isolation. And you almost never teach that way. Remember that, just as Bauhaus creations, the products of your teaching and learning may end up out there, for the whole world to use. Give them something they’ll appreciate!

(Photo by Anders Jacobsen on Unsplash)