Future of Design Education and Academia

Join us for an engaging panel discussion on the ever-evolving landscape of design academia and how we prepare future designers for the complexities of the 21st century and what can be changed.

A discussion on the current state of design education and what’s required to create design education suitable for the 21st Century that will equip designers with the skills and perspectives to design more efficient, sustainable, accessible, and responsible future products, ecosystems, and services.

Our panelists, with their vast experience in design academia and industry, will reflect on the challenges, innovations, and transformations they’ve witnessed in the field, and provide insight into where design education is headed next.

How is the new landscape of AI tools transforming the space of design academia? 

AI tools are here to stay, so how are AI tools reshaping design academia, and what opportunities or challenges do they present in terms of creativity, collaboration, and innovation both for research and design education? As we witness the birth of a new partnership between designers and AI, how are we preparing the future designers for this new landscape?

How do we balance teaching technical skills with fostering traditional design skills, adaptability, and emotional intelligence in design programs? 

How can design education equip students with the traditional skills and perspectives to create products, systems, and services that are not only beautiful but also sustainable, equitable, and socially responsible?

Panelists: 

Sheng-Hung Lee

Sheng-Hung Lee is a designer and PhD researcher at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) AgeLab and Ideation Lab and Board Director at Industrial Designers Society of America (IDSA). He is inspired by multiple domains of knowledge and perspectives while working at IDEO and serves as Adjunct Associate Professor at Shih Chien University, Taiwan. You can reach out to him via his email ([email protected]) or website (https://www.shenghunglee.com/)

Diane Pfeiffer

Diane Pfeiffer is a designer, fabricator, and artist currently teaching in the Industrial Design program at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Virginia. She received her BS from Antioch College, and her MS Arch in Industrial Design from Virginia Tech. In 2004 she participated in a year-long design research program at the Bauhaus in Germany, the work from which was shown at the Beijing Biennale. She's taught industrial design and digital design and fabrication courses at the Pacific Northwest College of Art, the Oregon College of Art and Craft, and the University of Oregon, among others.

Helen Armstrong

Helen Armstrong is a researcher and author at the forefront of digital rights, human-machine collaboration, and inclusivity in design. She holds an MFA in Graphic Design from The Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA) and an MA in English Literature from The University of Mississippi. Through collaborative research, she has engaged with many for-profit and nonprofit entities such as IBM, Redhat, REI, Advance Auto Parts, SAS Analytics, Sealed Air, and the Laboratory for Analytic Sciences. 

Whether you're a design educator, student, professional, or simply passionate about the future of design, this event will spark important conversations about how we can shape design academia to meet the needs of a rapidly changing world. Don’t miss this opportunity to engage with forward-thinking leaders and peers in the field!

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Host or Publisher Loft Design