CAA Conference Session: Panel Discussion

Communication Design Scholarship: Opportunities and Approaches

Time: 02/04/2016, 12:30 PM—2:00 PM
Location: Hoover, Mezzanine Level

In collaboration with CAA Task Force on Design at the 104th Annual Conference in Washington, DC.

Chair: Dan Wong, New York City College of Technology, City University of New York

  • Mike Zender, University of Cincinnati; Visible Language
  • Elizabeth Guffey, State University of New York at Purchase; Design & Culture
  • Aaris Sherin, St. John’s University; Design Incubation
  • David Cabianca, York University

Discussant: Kathryn Weinstein, Queen’s College, City University of New York

Design programs in American colleges and universities are adding design research, contemporary practice, and publishing that demonstrates rigor and impact factor to the requirements of design educators’ scholarly activities. With these changing requirements, the need for reputable and established modes of dissemination has reached a critical mass.

From practice to theory, this panel examines research formats, forms of investigation, representation of research, venues, organizations, and publishing opportunities available to Communication Design educators and researchers. It will discuss contemporary design research approaches and formats, and note various organizations and publishing outlets accessible to educators, researchers, and practitioners of design. In conclusion, the panel will explore where practice fits within academia.