Teaching Beyond the Curriculum
Abstract
In response to urgent global challenges—climate change, inequality, unchecked capitalism—design education must radically reimagine foundational principles and objectives. This paper outlines a collaborative initiative where four design educators, hailing from diverse yet often marginalized academic backgrounds, embark on a journey of inquiry and speculation of design education. This process is more than a reflective exercise; it is active exploration, with educators’ insights serving as catalyst for a broader design research initiative aimed at envisioning inclusive futures of design education. Anchored in W.E.B. Du Bois’ ‘Megascope’, this concept provides principles and a reflective lens for resisting traditional paradigms, uncovering marginalized narratives, critically engaging with established epistemologies, and rethinking strategies and structures of design education. The Megascope is not merely theoretical but acts as a dynamic tool facilitating generative discourse within the design education landscape. Each contributor reflects on principles of the Megascope, their unique positionality, and how it informs their dedication to anti-racist and equity-focused design education. Their collective insights highlight the transformative potential of diverse voices in academia, offering an intersectional perspective for examining and challenging design pedagogy. Through the iterative, reflexive process inherent to Design-Based Research (DBR), the paper not only contributes to reflective discourse but also fosters a generative, transformative dialogue. By weaving together the ethos of the Megascope with educators’ unique experiences, the paper proposes a scaffold of anti-racist principles for equitable design education, providing valuable theoretical and practical insights for the ongoing critical reassessment and reimagining of pedagogical practices in the field of design education.
Nekita Thomas, Assistant Professor of Graphic Design and Design for Responsible Innovation, is a multidisciplinary graphic design researching racial identity and urbanism. Advocating for healthier communities, she designs placemaking installations and participatory design workshops to foster critical and speculative knowledge exchange to foster equitable, civically engaged urban design strategies. Nekita developed ‘Superbold’, a workshop commissioned by the National Public Housing Museum, dedicated to developing antiracist placemaking solutions. Holding an MFA from the University at Buffalo.
Lisa Mercer (she/her) is an Associate Professor of Graphic Design and Design for Responsible Innovation at the University of Illinois. With a focus on responsible design for social impact, Mercer co-developed Racism Untaught, a crucial framework for addressing racialized design and promoting anti-racist approaches. She is also the creator of Operation Compass, a project aimed at tackling human trafficking through design-led interventions. Her work, recognized and featured internationally, encapsulates her commitment to sparking conversation and collaboration to generate innovative ideas and solutions for pressing social issues.
Terresa Moses (she/her), Assistant Professor of Graphic Design and Director of Design Justice at the University of Minnesota’s College of Design, is a dedicated advocate for the liberation of Black and brown communities through art and design. As the Creative Director at Blackbird Revolt and a PhD candidate in Social Justice Education at the University of Toronto, her work—spanning design, illustration, and research—centers around race, identity, and social justice. Moses’ notable projects include the intersectional exhibition Umbra, community project Stop Killing Black People, and the upcoming MIT Press publications, Racism Untaught and An Anthology of Blackness.
Angelica Sibrian (she/her), Teaching Assistant Professor of Graphic Design and Design for Responsible Innovation at the University of Illinois, is a dedicated designer and artist championing community-centered design. Focusing on the underrepresentation of Latinas in higher education, her interdisciplinary research integrates education, sociology, psychology, and design. With a BA from California State University, Los Angeles, and an MFA from the University of Texas at Austin, Sibrian employs empathy and collaborative design for empowerment, fostering a positive, engaging learning environment while diligently advancing her vital research.
12:30 pm - 2:00 pm
Wednesday 15th November, 2023