I hosted a hybrid conference at the Syracuse University School of Design that explored how designers’ perspectives impact their work and how these diverse perspectives toward design can be supported in the workplace. It involved a series of guest lectures and a panel discussion with designers and design researchers.

The participants were Somi Kim (former Senior Director, Healthcare Solutions, Johnson & Johnson), Ana Mengote Baluca (Multidisciplinary Designer and Strategist), Zipeng Zhu (Founder and Creative Director, Dazzle Studio), Doris Allhutter (Senior Postdoc, Austrian Academy of Sciences), ClayVon Lowe (Design Director, Greentouch Home), Aimara Rodriguez (Business Strategist and Content Creator), Shay Xie (Team Lead, Staff User Experience Designer, Johnson & Johnson MedTech), and Jake deHahn (Experience and Brand Designer, Gensler).

Thank you to SU students Xinyi Wang, Kai Patricio, Kyra Lee, and Sise Deng for your help in planning and facilitating the event., and to the School of Visual and Performing Arts Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion committee for the funding.