Redesigning design education for a new, emerging world
In order to shape the future of the design industry, we must go upstream and focus on the schools and programs that teach young and new designers. We must equip students with the relevant frameworks, questions, experiences, and opportunities for them to understand their power, role, responsibility, and influence as a professional.
I'm not your typical design educator. I push boundaries of what, how, and why content is taught in design education.
Senior Adjunct at California College of Arts
Overview
Teaching at the college level since 2011
View CV / LinkedIn
Presented at over 30 schools and conferences
Climate Designers
@ California College of the Arts
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I developed the course in parallel to the work we are doing with climatedesigners.org.
DETAILS
- 2020–present
- Undergrad; Graphic Design, Interaction Design
- Grad; MDes Interaction Design, MFA Design
- 15 weeks
- 3 credits
Social Lab
@ California College of the Arts
Social Lab is a two-semester course where students design systems and prototype solutions that have a positive impact on society and the environment, in collaboration with partner organizations.
I shape my class to address our climate breakdown and the opportunities it's creating. From Climate Resiliency to Climate & Culture.
DETAILS
- Social Lab 2: 2018–2024
- Social Lab 1 & 2: 2025–Present
- Grad; MDes Interaction Design
- Two semesters
- 6 credits
MORE INFO
- MDes @ CCA
- MDes Social Lab turns 10
- Don Norman ??????
Secret Project
@ California College of the Arts
An immersive experience that allowed students from any department and level to work on real-world challenges in partnership with other schools, organizations, and companies in the San Francisco Bay Area.
DETAILS
- 20??–20??
- Undergrad; Graphic Design, Interaction Design
- Co-taught with John Bielenberg
MORE INFO
- Learning The Right Way To Think Wrong
- This Is Why I Love CCA Secret Project
Project M
An alternative educational program for creative people who are already inspired to contribute to the greater good, and are looking for a platform to collaborate and generate ideas and projects bigger than themselves.
Project M encourages and provides techniques for thinking wrong to help break synaptic biases and generate new ideas and design directions to challenge the status-quo.
Sessions range in length from two-days to two-weeks.
DETAILS
- Participant: Summer 2009
- Facilitator & Advisor: 2009–Present
- Developed by John Bielenberg
MORE INFO
- When Wrong is Right | John Bielenberg | Bend Design 2018
Becoming a Climate Designer
@ Terra.do
An online course for practicing designers & related creative professionals on making a meaningful impact using their current skillset.
Topics include; individual actions vs systems change, colonialism, indigenous wisdom, climate justice, narrative shifting, inclusive design, behavior change, culture jamming, leadership styles, influence & persuasion
DETAILS
- 20??–20??
- 50+ participants from a wide variety of design disciplines and industries
- 7 weeks (5 weeks of lectures and group discussions, 2 weeks of project development with a final presentation)
Various Sprints
I’ve hosted multi-day design sprints with design departments from around the US. I work with faculty and department chairs to craft the agenda and content to shape each experience.
Typical offerings include a lecture at the beginning, introduction to the project brief, facilitation, and a department-wide share out of student work.
DETAILS
- 2020–Present
- From two-days to one-week
- Departments have included; Graphic Design, Animation, Sculpture, Fashion
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Other Platforms
I’ve also taught design and other topics on Skillshare.com and at General Assembly.
CLASSES INCLUDE
- ???
Select Projects
Climate Designers Pando Populus BEAM Circular AirMiners
Get in touch for a more detailed portfolio, talk shop,
or discuss full-time or contract opportunities