Innovation in Design Pedagogy
Innovation in design pedagogy has become increasingly important in recent years as the field of design, and technology continues to expand as we come out of a global pandemic and in a time where we are witnessing the failures of social systems. This societal growth and shift, alongside a critical reexamination of our industry, has prompted me to re-examine my teaching methods and practice and explore new theories and approaches to better prepare students for the current and future reality. In recent years while teaching graphic design at Boston University, my focus has been on three key areas:
In-Progress
Framework and Database for Exploring works of Experience Design
UPDATE FALL 2023: A beta version of the framework and database is now live at Experience Design Handbook
Design is a field that is constantly evolving, and staying up-to-date with the latest case studies, examples, and references is essential for designers, educators, and business leaders. However, sourcing these resources can be challenging and time-consuming. This research proposes a web-based, searchable resource of experience design case studies organized and cataloged to allow for finding specific references and discovering new information. The resource would improve access and efficiency, improving design processes and experiences.
The development of this resource began with a simple framework for cataloging and organizing case studies in experience design. This framework was initially designed to give students a more specific understanding and approach to creating experiences and was then adapted to develop business leaders' customer experience strategies. The development process allowed for additions and edits to the framework, creating a more functional and universal open resource.
Using the framework as a teaching tool, students began to populate a database with an initial set of experience design case studies over two semesters, yielding 200 rough case studies as a learning resource for subsequent classes. Currently, the framework is being converted into a prototype tool and database of case studies. The next steps in the project are to use the initial set of data and case studies to refine the framework, add to the database, and publish a beta version of the database as a public-facing resource for the design, education, and business communities. This tool and database can enhance the efficiency and quality of the design process, providing a comprehensive collection of case studies and reference materials. Overall, this research aims to contribute to advancing experience design practice, teaching, and research.
Previously
Opportunity for Experience: Creative Perspectives on Connecting with People
Design x RI: Design Week 2021
October 01, 2021
We believe there is a need to reinforce our connection to each other as human beings. Suppose we can return to this concept as a core principle of creative practice and education. In that case, we can create new opportunities to come together instead of driving people apart.
We live in a moment when business and socio-economic demands require rapid pursuit of data and technological advances while leaving behind those same topics’ personal and social sides. We are, as a society, altering our human experience under the illusion of increasing our connectedness. But still, we seek the meaningful connection, the moments that remind us of humanity regardless of our awareness of design and technology.
We are now 18 months into a global pandemic, where life as we know it has been flipped on its head. We are relying more than ever on technology to increase our connectedness. It has suddenly and quickly become less illusion and more real, and we are genuinely seeking connection to reality through technology.
We believe, though, that the pendulum has swung too far in the wrong direction into a world of an extreme pursuit of data and technological advancements while losing sight of human impact. So while we believe the design industry has played a significant role in this swing, we think creative people and perspective can return us to a balance.
I’m proposing a framework and a methodology for design practice and pedagogy—a sort of manifesto of perspectives on human connection.
Design, Food and Human Connection
Colloquium 6.3: Fordham University
Design Incubation Colloquium 6.3: Fordham University (#DI2020mar)
Virtual Conference May 16, 2020, 1PM EST.
https://designincubation.com/publications/abstracts/design-food-and-human-connection/
Design is present in visible and invisible ways in contemporary society to the point which the term "design" has permeated everyday language—resulting in a situation where everyone knows what design is and no one knows what design is.
Business and socio-economic demands require rapid pursuit of data and technological advances while leaving behind the personal and social side of those same topics. We are, as a society, altering our human experience under the illusion of increasing our connectedness.
The growth of technology and access to information in our pockets is leading to the formation of evermore connections—virtual and seemingly less and less personal. This significant growth is also leading to the creation of endless amounts of content. So much so that the term "creator" has become a sort of professional identifier. We are relying on "smart assistants" to help us through our day, and in so doing, we are giving up our data to major corporations at the very least. We then become more data to be bought and sold and less and less human.
Design plays a massive role in this move away from being human—from being considered as people over data. Design is the vehicle of transport in this idea. We are not anti-technology or anti-data. We appreciate the value of both and what advances in both can bring to society. We believe though that the pendulum has swung too far in the wrong direction, into a world of an extreme pursuit of data and technological advancements while losing sight of human impact. So while we believe the design industry has played a significant role in this swing, we think it can also return us to a balance.
Our studio practice, Station, has begun an examination of how design can help return us to more meaningful connections with people through the lens of something as culturally ubiquitous as food. How can our relationship with food inform our relationship with design in society? How might we improve our approach to how we both practice and teach design by investigating practitioners of gastronomy and culinary arts?
Through a series of interviews and collaborative experiences, we have held conversations with designers, architects, chefs, restauranteurs, food historians, and farmers to understand better both a historical and contemporary relationship between food, design, and culture.
We started this research project with the intent of understanding the parallels between chefs and designers—hoping to learn from the creative process of chefs pushing the limits of their profession as a way of advancing our own. What we have instead encountered is a shared foundational principle creating opportunities for human connection. This research is helping us to reshape our studio practice's entire design methodology and altering our pedagogical approach to design in higher education. Insights gained from conversations and experiences with people at the forefront of shaping the way people connect will lead to strategies for designing opportunities for people to reconnect with each other.
We believe there is a need to reinforce our connection to each other as human beings. If we can return to this concept as a core principle in design practice and education, then we can create new opportunities for people to come together instead of driving people apart.