Listening to the news on the radio this morning, an American academic said that the difference between the US higher education system and many other countries , is that they are taught to challenge the tutor to get good grades, obviously be able to justify that challenge. The point being innovation is celebrated over conformity. Thus the great American way. Is the US in decline? possibly, but as long as innovation is the driver there is always a chance of resurgence. I think this attitude comes from their early history of telling the ‘old countries’ to bugger off.

The French seem to be taught this is what a designer is, and this is what you do to get there. Whereas we are taught to ask our selves what design is, helped along the way with tools of context, pattern and ratio. So not quite as extreme as the Yanks but less conforming than the French. Though as usual just an opinion through observation.