teaching design and cultivating curiosity

the designer’s role is reimagined in a post-colonial world prioritizing systems thinking, societal well-being, and planetary health. design Students collaborate to develop an “infinite beta” mindset—a continuous state of curiosity, critical thinking, and open experimentation that benefits both people and the planet.

Industrial design originated alongside mass production in the early 20th century, though human tool-making dates back at least 2.6 million years. Today, product design crosses boundaries between virtual, experiential, and physical worlds, creating fluid and interconnected disciplines. Designers move swiftly to adapt to the changing landscape as They learn to consider the larger social and ethical impact of their choices, ultimately contributing to a more sustainable future.

  • • design + architecture senior high school, miami, fl

    • the art institute Hollywood, los angeles, ca

    • the university of oregon, portland, or

    • oregon college of art and craft, portland, or

    • rhode island school of design, providence, ri

  • • a.i. pdx event, speaker and workshop exhibitor, portland, or

    • idsa sustainability event, co-host, virtual

    • bodecker foundation, zero waste workshop, portland, or

    • the changing nature of work, speaker, IDC, victoria, bc

    • craft in the 21st century, speaker, SDP event, seattle, wa

    • healthcare trends, speaker, steelcase/IIDA, new york, ny

    • design innovation, panelist, winston-salem, nc

    • design innovation, speaker, interior architecture, university of north carolina

    • design panelist, arango foundation, miami, fl

Students working on architectural models in a workshop, using tools and materials like foam blocks, rulers, and glue.
Two people collaborating at a desk with a laptop, papers, and a pen; one person is drawing or writing on a paper with a blue pen, while the other watches.
Gaming mouse and keyboard on technical blueprint background.
Person working with clay on a pottery wheel in a workshop with a sign reading 'Handmade by Local Artisans' and a window in the background.
Aerial view of a busy workspace with multiple laptops, notebooks, a smartphone, external hard drives, headphones, and stationery on a wooden table. Several people are working on laptops, and there's a bowl of snacks and a teal teapot on the table.
Black and white image of a person using a DeWALT miter saw, with another person watching in the background.

a compass for design

product Design education builds the methods and skills for thinking, creating, collaborating, and expressing ideas. how do you learn best?

the study of industrial design is typically a four to five-year college program, but shorter burst learning exists from online sources to new learning cooperatives.

so reach out to us if you have questions about finding a program or experiences that align with your goals.

free study compass
Diagram illustrating a circular concept with 'people' at the center, surrounded by themes like research, methods, media, planet, systems, business, markets, materials, making, and culture. Outer ring highlights insight, discovery, communication, creation, transformation, disruption, context, meaning with tags like 'the artifact' and 'the impact.'

student work: domestic objects

  • Minimalist wooden chair with woven seat and backrest.

    logan

  • Close-up view of a modern chair with wooden frame and woven seat.

    logan

  • Miniature woven chairs and loom

    logan

  • Person tying strings on a padded medieval-style garment, outdoors.

    gemti

  • Medieval padded gambeson vests with tie closures in white and brown colors

    gemti

  • Two brown textile pieces with abstract white line stitching patterns.

    gemti

  • Man sitting on a modern black bench with a minimalist design, wearing a black shirt, jeans, and gray sneakers.

    jordan

  • Modern concrete lounge chair with wooden legs in an art studio setting.

    jordan

  • Person working on a large fiberglass mold in a workshop.

    jordan

  • Baby play gym with hanging wooden toys and a colorful textured mat.

    nathan

  • Vintage mechanical diagram showing components and assembly instructions for a pendulum or balance device, including rods, gears, and a crescent moon shape.

    nathan

  • Wall-mounted fabric bookshelf with various books displayed.

    charlie

  • Disassembled wooden furniture pieces and a cushioned seat on a light background.

    charlie

  • Window shelf with potted plants, books, clock, and blue decorative panel.

    charlie

  • Wall-mounted organizer with fabric pockets, hanging plant, and items like books, a notebook, and pens.

    karina

  • Wall organizer with potted plant, books, and stationery.

    karina

  • Two pendant lights with textured, dome-shaped shades hanging from the ceiling, one illuminated.

    karina

  • A hand adjusting a wooden and felt planter box with green leaves, placed on a light background.

    cole

  • Wooden air purifier with an integrated planter, featuring a modern design with leafy green plants on top and a felt cover on the side, against a plain background.

    cole

  • Wooden air purifier with potted plant on top and filter inserts nearby.

    cole

  • Abstract geometric pattern with hexagonal shapes and patches of green moss on a wooden surface.

    chloe

  • 3D printed lamp mold with cardboard support structure

    henri

  • Two decorative ceramic pots, one red and white with vertical slits, and the other blue-gray with protruding mushroom-like features, placed on a white surface against a brown background.

    henri

  • Chair made from bulk coffee bags and steel frame

    jake

  • Collage of images showing recycled coffee bags, crafting process, and metal frame construction.

    jake

student work: products & transport

  • Custom wooden bicycle with unique frame design against a black wall.

    earvin

  • A person riding a small wooden bicycle on a brick sidewalk in an urban area, wearing a gray hoodie and a black cap. The person is captured from the front and back in two side-by-side images.

    earvin

  • Collage featuring various bicycle styles labeled modern, advanced, basic, and classic, alongside market analysis and a bike sizing chart.

    earvin

  • A hand touching a colorful illuminated cube on a cluttered desk with a laptop and cables.

    vimal

  • Three minimalist wall clocks with long rectangular bands in beige, black, and white colors.

    team colossal

  • Wall-mounted wooden bike rack with bike and helmet

    henri

  • Orange climbing hold on a white background.

    oli

  • Clay model of a sports car on a dark surface

    greg

  • Person carving a wooden piece on a table covered in sawdust, with tools like a file, green scissors, and a face mask nearby.

    greg

  • Futuristic yellow compact car with black and blue accents.

    chip

  • Modern wall-mounted LED light fixture with a sleek geometric design.

    gary

  • A detailed chart labeled 'Market Research' showing various desk lamps categorized by characteristics such as 'Short,' 'Functional,' 'Modern,' 'Luxurious,' 'Capable,' 'Thin,' 'Portable,' 'Long,' 'Elegant,' 'Cheap,' 'Art,' and 'Heavy.' The center category is 'Simple' which connects to all other categories. At the bottom, there are images labeled 'Inspiration' and a section labeled 'Research Objective' about providing data for office equipment.

    gary

  • Collage of a wooden and metal device being assembled, featuring cylindrical parts with a handle and hole designs.

    robert

  • Whiteboard with handwritten notes about behavior design, including diagrams of dots for grouping and framing concepts.

    lesson

  • Black coffee maker with glowing outline and a transparent jar beside it on a dark background.

    jordan

  • App interface design with multiple screens for "Kaffe App," showcasing navigation flow and purchase options. Includes user profile, shop, select coffee, and brewing process steps, with icons and layout on mobile devices.

    jordan

  • Diagram illustrating the process of making cold brew coffee. It shows a carafe with coffee grounds immersed in cold water in a 1:8 ratio. Features include medium grind, brew time of 18-24 hours, less acidity (pH 6.5), enhanced flavor, and a storage duration of up to 2 weeks.

    jordan

  • Paper shoe prototype on a wooden surface, showcasing design and construction process.

    robert

  • Custom-designed orthopedic shoe with cork sole and camouflage pattern

    robert

  • Person holding a sneaker prototype in a classroom or workshop setting, with various tools and materials on tables.

    robert

  • Ghost-shaped bath bomb packaging on wooden surface

    parker

  • Exploded view of a children's electronic toy depicting Mickey Mouse, showcasing all internal components spread out and organized. Includes plastic casing, circuit board, wires, buttons, and batteries. Text emphasizes sustainable design importance.

    team exploded products: part quantity and type

  • Two individuals working at a workshop table with tools and materials, including rulers, glue, and foam blocks. One is drawing on paper, and the other is cutting foam, with more people and tables in the background.

    class in shop

  • Four images showing hands holding or examining a black oval-shaped object resembling a stone or tool, with one image including a Sharpie marker for size comparison.

    class shape study of ovals

student work: foundation studies

  • Art installation featuring a geometric structure against a clear blue sky.

    santo

  • Geometric 3D wall art with black and white pyramids in a grid pattern

    oren

  • Textured white surface with abstract, rounded shapes and a grid pattern.

    juan

  • Three different handle designs on a light and dark background, including a gray ergonomic handle, a curved wooden handle, and a rectangular wood handle with rounded edges.

    team

  • Abstract metal wire sculpture on wooden base against a plain background

    petra

  • Person drawing geometric shapes on paper

    robert

  • Two funnel strainers, one red and one white, with perforated designs, side by side on a light background.

    heather

  • Abstract sculpture resembling a wave

    shelter team

student work: design research (snippets)

  • Migrant farmworkers carrying baskets in a vegetable field.

    pablo 1

    research into the daily work experience of the migrant farmer. focus on sauvie island farming, a community north of portland, oregon.

  • Stream graph showing U.S. immigration trends from 1830 to 2015 by region.

    pablo 2

    macro and micro quantitative research on immigration trends in u.s.a., the state of oregon, and regional farming communities.

  • A person wearing a sun hat, mask, and gloves works in a vineyard. Text on the side defines types of farmworkers, including permanent, seasonal, and migrant farmworkers.

    pablo 3

    day in the life study of the migrant farm worker on sauvie island. observational research in daily routine, climate conditions, body postures, outdoor wear, and tools used.

  • A centered, bold quote about discomfort wearing layers in cold and thorny environments, surrounded by faded, related comments.

    pablo 4

    journey maps, first-person observations, and captured quotes added to the student's awareness of the migrant farmer’s daily experiences and habits.

  • Person standing in a woodworking shop with tools, chairs hanging, and text saying "Craft is a Coral Reef," "PD 410," "University of Oregon," "03/13/2023," "Julian Tenvic Stark."

    julian 1

    design research into portland’s craft culture and loss of the city’s micro-industrial sector. study to develop a proposition for a community-facing initiative.

  • Map of Portland showing four industrial sanctuaries: Columbia Corridor, Swan Island, NW Industrial, and CEID. Includes text about setting aside protected industrial land in the 1980s.

    julian 2

    impact of zoning and new development as challenge to sustaining the craft culture and key stakeholders. history of portand’s industrial zones versus current state view.

  • People working on large wooden slab in a workshop, "The Pillars of CEIC" text overlay.

    julian 3

    research into the local industry councils with a focused dive into the impact of real estate development boom in the central eastside, one of the key industrial districts.

  • Woodworking plane on a table with blurred background and text: 'Hypothesis: If craft is a publicly visible activity then its practice will be promoted and strengthened in the city.'

    julian 4

    case study and in-person interviews with craft and small industry stakeholders. review with an architect involved in local urban planning.

  • Silhouettes of two people pulling a rope on a purple and blue background with the text "The Divide" overlaid.

    matilda 1

    study in gender bias in the pc culture for women who seek to learn how to build computers and participate in the PC community.

  • Graphic with text "PC CULTURE" on pink and blue background, with a male gender symbol and additional text discussing toxic masculine culture and PC knowledge.

    matilda 2

    examine how culture, behavior, and language contribute to discrimination in this segment. the student’s personal experiences informed her interest in the research.

  • Graphic with a pink and blue background. The blue side features two black silhouetted hands reaching towards each other. The pink side has the text '12-30 Women of Colour' in large white letters and a smaller caption reading '...and the rest will follow.'

    matilda 3

    develop quantifiable data sets to establish a point of view and point of departure for the research. the online girl gamers and pc community were sources.

  • Collage with computer workstation, technician fixing a PC, quotes about work passion and serving people.

    matilda 4

    first-person research and observational studies with users who build pc’s. the PC for knowledge transfer is often through self-directed and online learning.

  • Text reading "The Ecosystem + The Urban Environment" on a yellow background, with additional text about exploring the impact of natural areas in urban environments over an image of greenery.

    josh 1

    study the association between community building, well-being, and green spaces in neighborhood urban environments.

  • Collage of images documenting a qualitative research event at Sylvania Natural Area Park on 3/4/23. The event is in collaboration with PCC Sylvania Habitat Team and Oregon Parks and Rec. Images show a briefing on native plants, planting ferns, a discussion with April from the Habitat Team, a lesson on planting snow berries with Erik, and navigation through a Douglas Fir park with Nathan, a parks and rec worker.

    josh 2

    student’s in-person research with park professionals, active community members, and neighborhood residents in portland.

  • Profile description of a target group called 'The Nature Geek' for ages 15-70, enthusiastic about community involvement, willing to help and empathetic, and aware of current events. Features a photo of a person in a sweater outdoors.

    josh 3

    first-person interviews to understand the diverse participants in local greening projects. notes are captured to identify varied “personas” for deeper focus.

  • Sticky notes brainstorming ways to educate communities about urban green spaces' benefits. Suggestions include experiencing local green spaces, spreading word on community events, rebranding gardens, fostering mindfulness in parks, promoting volunteer incentives, organizing grassroots gatherings, utilizing green roofs, promoting social activities in green spaces, using social media outreach, and redefining green spaces' purpose.

    josh 4

    mapping the ideas for the research questions and deeper dive to be discussed and shared. students used miro whiteboarding to organize and communicate broadly.

  • Photographers capturing an elephant near a tree; text overlay about commercial story photography.

    ethan 1

    a focused study in the world of the commercial story photographer, specifically those working in extreme outdoor environments and conditions.

  • Diagram labeled "Ecosystem" with a central circle titled "Commercial Story Photography" surrounded by six smaller circles labeled "Essential Gear," "Shooting Format," "Industry Subjects," "Target Audience," "Story-telling," and "Document Reality," with text "Equipment Focus," "Culturally Present," and "Corporate Direction" on the edges.

    ethan 2

    ecosystem map to identify key areas to consider for the outdoor commercial photographer’s domain. the student considered the audience and customer base.

  • Interviewee information slide featuring a person in cold-weather gear and background details about their age, location, background in photography and fishing, and accolades.

    ethan 3

    first-person research with the commercial photographer for national geographic. he shoots wildlife and commercial fishermen on the bering sea

  • Infographic illustrating a photography workflow. Steps include: Wake up early, Pack gear, Plan destination, Travel to location, Wait for shot, Capture 'Money shot,' Shoot subjects, and Edit photos. Contains icons for each step.

    ethan 4

    to understand a day in the life of the commercial photographer, a journey map notes the person’s experiences, behaviors, routines, and rituals.

  • Quote reading 'Death is a universal experience that leaves many families at a loss when a parent or guardian dies unexpectedly,' with a family photo in the corner.

    jackie 1

    a personal experience inspired the student to explore “grief” and the implications for families and siblings facing the loss of a parent and primary caregiver.

  • Text on hypothesis regarding communication about grief with children for emotional development.

    jackie 2

    the student conducted research with clinical child psychologists, hospice nurses, and a pastor to uncover issues with grief management.

  • "Infographic showing that 1 in 14 people experience loss by age 18, and are 2 times more likely to develop depression and 3 times more likely to develop anxiety."

    jackie 3

    quantitative data was collected and studied to inform the point of view. issues of culture, economic status, gender, family size, and ethnicity were collected to narrow focus.

  • Slide with heading 'Insights' and bullet points: Communication is Key, Community is Crucial, Cultural Context, Everyone is Unique, Compounds Over Time, Physical Health. Decorative elements at the bottom.

    jackie 4

    research was evaluated for insights to identify issues for further study. child counseling communities were opportunities for deeper dive.

Illustration of a shoe with circular patterned design

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industrial design schools (partial/USA)

Stack of books on a desk, with a wicker basket holding various items, and more books arranged around it.

eco learning resource list

Close-up of a futuristic spacecraft with a design resembling a large fin or wing, with silhouettes of people walking in the background.

product design education: a compass

if you’re curious to learn more or have any questions, please drop a note:
hello

if you’re interested in alternatives to traditional industrial design programs, check out the following:

pensole lewis college

https://advdes.org/Offsite

for coding and Ux/ui product design: flatiron school

please drop us a note with any questions: hello

if you’re interested in exploring design justice and system change, check out:

https://designjustice.org/

you can download the design justice network principles here.

Yellow poster featuring the "Design Justice Network Principles" consisting of ten guidelines that focus on using design to sustain, empower, and center communities, prioritizing change as a collaborative process, recognizing all individuals as experts, sharing design knowledge, and honoring indigenous and local practices. Contact information includes designjustice.org and designjusticepdx.com.