VIRTUAL MADRID FOCUS ON PEDAGOGY
Abstract
Rooted in somatic learning, mindfulness, and relational pedagogy, this framework for design practice proposes a pedagogical model that cultivates presence, self-awareness, and embodied knowing to expand creative capacity. Neuroscience affirms what craft and contemplative traditions have long known: our hands are tools of the mind. Grounded in somatic pedagogy, Karma Yoga, and Winnicott’s concept of the authentic self, this framework values creative practice as a form of presence and integration, positioning the designer as an embodied thinker and feeling subject. Somatic awareness becomes a mode of inquiry, while Karma Yoga offers a model of intentional, non-attached action in creative work. Winnicott reminds us that the true self arises through spontaneous play and authentic expression; these insights guide learners to trust their bodies, listen to materials, and approach making as a meditative, relational process, one that invites reflection on questions such as: Who am I? What matters to me? Design practice is articulated through two phases: Doing and Being, and Thinking. Doing and Being form a unified phase of tactile engagement and mindful presence, while Thinking allows for reflection and integration. Together, these phases support intuitive responses, foster self-awareness, and position the designer as an embodied thinker and feeling subject. A case study of third-year undergraduate Bachelor of Design students illustrates the framework through their creative work and written reflections. Thematic prompts such as Self-Inquiry and Embodied Voice guide students in expressive, restorative practice, and conversations with lecturers offer insight into facilitating embodied learning and its impact on students’ development.
Leica Johnson is Head of Department and lecturer in Fashion within the Bachelor of Design at Auckland University of Technology, Aotearoa New Zealand. Her teaching and research explore care, materiality, and cultural memory through objects, ritual, and speculative practice, with a focus on wellbeing, sustainability, and working-class visibility in post-industrial contexts. Prior to entering academia, Leica worked extensively in the creative industries as a clothing designer, with an emphasis on sustainable practices.