Conversations with Master of Design Students at Emily Carr University

Robin Mitchell Cranfield
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Recordings of roundtable sessions with graduating students held as part of our class' spring seminar on dissemination, hosted by instructor Robin Mitchell Cranfield. Title + artwork for this series are from the students' catalogues, linked in our show notes.

Episodes

  1. Oct 6

    Corners and Intersections: Collections + Materiality

    Corners and Intersections: Conversations with Master of Design Students at Emily Carr University, 2025: Collection + Materiality with Pritam Paul, Qianxuan Chen, Morgan Martino, and Yahan Xing There are four episodes in this series of roundtable discussions from our spring seminar on dissemination, recorded at Emily Carr University This episode features: Pritam Paul (MDes 2025) Qianxuan Chen (MDes 2025) Embracing Motherhood: No Little Thing Morgan Martino (MDes 2025) Yahan Xing (MDes 2025) Finding Balance in Soft Choreographies: Unraveling Stories, Memories, and Care This episode was moderated by Moderator Sabid Ali (MDes 2024) The title and artwork for this series is from the students' catalogue, Corners and Intersections, published by Occasional Press, which is available from READ Books This series is produced by Robin Mitchell Cranfield  Special thanks to Jon Hannan, Associate Dean of the Master of Design program at Emily Carr University, and to Brady Cranfield for our music Chapters: 00:00:00 Introduction (02:55) The panelists and projects in this discussion (05:00) Sabid Ali: How do you define "collection"? (05:33) Morgan Martino on collecting as observing (07:01)  Qianxuan Chen on the connection between collection and exhibition (08:11) Yahan Xing on the the ways that memory and emotion are embedded into collected objects and collection as storytelling (08:57) Pritam Paul on gathering information and inspiration from collected objects (11:44) Sabid Ali: What role does materiality play in your thesis work? (11:52) Yahan Xing on materiality as a tool (13:13) Qianxuan Chen on how materials carry purpose and allow for physical and emotional connection with each work (14:14) Pritam Paul on the tangibility of material items in a digital context  (16:28) Morgan Martino on the lively nature of collections and the affordances different production  practices offer (18:18) Sabid Ali: Given your attunement to materiality, how has it engaged with your process (18:54) Pritam Paul on CMF (colour, material, finish) and the importance of unlearning in a Masters program (20:38) Morgan Martino on material as a way to think (22:21) Qianxuan Chen on the sensory potential of material for audiences (23:33) Yahan Xing on considering materials as an interior designer (25:01) Sabid Ali: Concluding remarks (25:56) Morgan Martino on a Masters of Design cohort as a collection (27:08) Credits

    Corners and Intersections: Collections + Materiality

  2. Oct 6

    Corners and Intersections: Play + Relationship

    Corners and Intersections: Conversations with Master of Design Students at Emily Carr University, 2025: Play + Relationship with Julie McIntosh, Asad Aftab, Yining (Jo) Zhou, and Logan Wilkinson There are four episodes in this series of roundtable discussions from our spring seminar on dissemination, recorded at Emily Carr University This episode features: Julie McIntosh (MDes 2025) Playful Knowings: Exploring Placemaking and Play in Fisher River Cree Nations, Manitoba Asad Aftab (MDes 2025) Spatial Cinematography: How Spatial Camera Systems, Non-Interactive Immersion and Production Workflows Impact VR Filmmaking Yining (Jo) Zhou (MDes 2025) 从她到她们: Feminist Perspectives on Language Reform in Simplified Chinese Logan Wilkinson (MDes 2025) Listening as Agency: A Participatory Approach to Designing Institutional Soundscapes This episode was moderated by Jean Chisholm (MDes 2020) The title and artwork for this series is from the students' catalogue, Corners and Intersections, published by Occasional Press, which is available from READ Books.  This series is produced by Robin Mitchell Cranfield  Special thanks to Jon Hannan, Associate Dean of the Master of Design program at Emily Carr University, and to Brady Cranfield for our music Chapters: (00:00) Introduction (02:37) The panelists and projects in this discussion (5:07) Jean Chisholm: How did protocol, best practices, or community expectations drive or shape your research? (5: 35) Logan Wilkinson on reimagining existing systems and services (08:33) Julie McIntosh on OCAP principles, data, the importance of ongoing relationships (15:01) Asad Aftab on immersive storytelling, new media, and bridging creatives and technologists (23:30) Logan Wilkinson on helping audiences access emerging media (25:01) Yining (Jo) Zhou on analyzing written language from a feminist perspective and the power of redefinition (30:49) Julie McIntosh on language, storytelling, and imagined playspaces (32:27) Jean Chisholm: What were your strategies to synthesize two years of research into one document? (32:44) Asad Aftab on redefining the "user" as a "participant" in his VR research (35:46) Yining (Jo) Zhou on the importance of collaboration and representing multiple viewpoints (37:01) Logan Wilkinson on writing as a collaging or a quilting process that reveals pattern (38:47) Julie McIntosh on developing a personal relationship to research and using representational objects (42:10) Jean Chisholm's concluding remarks (42:52) Credits

    Corners and Intersections: Play + Relationship

  3. Oct 5

    Corners and Intersections: Community

    Corners and Intersections: Conversations with Master of Design Students at Emily Carr University, 2025: Community with Xi (Cici) Qiu, Melody Chong, Jennifer Lamont, Joshita Nagaraj, moderated by Giulia Borba. Roundtable discussions from our spring seminar on dissemination, recorded at Emily Carr University. This episode features: Jennifer Lamont (MDes 2025): Unspoken Inclusive Communication: Wearable Technology for Neurodivergent ChildrenMan Yee Melody Chong (MDes 2025): The Walking Muse: Designing for Mindful MomentsJoshita Nagaraj (MDes 2025): Gaslit By Design: Addressing Deceptive Design Practices Through Education And AwarenessXi Qiu (MDes 2025): Supporting Emotional Wellness in YouthThis episode was moderated by Giulia Borba (MDes 2023) The title and artwork for this series is from the students' catalogue, Corners and Intersections, published by Occasional Press, which is available from READ Books.  This series is produced by Robin Mitchell Cranfield  Special thanks to Jon Hannan, Associate Dean of the Master of Design program at Emily Carr University, and to Brady Cranfield for our music Chapters: (00:00) Introduction (02:42) The panelists and projects in this discussion (05:05) Giulia Borba: What does "community" mean? (11:27) What does a contemporary relationship between designers and the communities they are working with look like? (11:53) Joshita Nagaraj on deceptive design, dark patterns, and the role of pedagogy in research (13:50) Jennifer Lamont on working with multiple communities (23:00) Xi Qiu on collective intelligence and the community wellness (24:36) Melody Chong on mindfulness and openness in the design research process (26:34) Moving from being a member of a community to being a designer for that community (29:18) Joshita Nagaraj on the value of teaching (31:04) Xi Qiu on using design to encourage mindfulness and empathy in youth (33:22) Melody Chong on making room for surprises in the research process (35:42) Giulia Borba: What are some of the surprises you've encountered in researching your communities? (35:52) Jennifer Lamont on how policy can impact design research (37:46) Joshita Nagaraj on ethical design frameworks (42:26) Giulia Borba: What are you looking forward to after this experience with your communities?  (46:56) Credits

    Corners and Intersections: Community

  4. Oct 1

    Corners and Intersections: Splace (Space + Place)

    Corners and Intersections: Conversations with Master of Design Students at Emily Carr University, 2025: Splace (Place + Space) with Jefferson Aladé, Dechen Nagi, Natalie Chiovitti, Asad Aftab. One of four roundtable discussions from our spring seminar on dissemination, recorded at Emily Carr University in 2025. This episode on Splace features: Jefferson Aladé (MDes 2025): Rendezvous: Facilitating (collective listening experiences) Natalie Chiovitti (MDes 2025):  Footnotes on Designers’ Perspectives: Climate-Centric Communication Design for Sustainable Fashion Consumption Dechen Nagi (MDes 2025): Designing Discovery for 100 Years of Creative Work Asad Aftab (MDes 2025): Spatial Cinematography: How Spatial Camera Systems, Non-Interactive Immersion and Production Workflows Impact VR Filmmaking Our discussion was moderated by Sahil Mroke (MDes 2024) Artwork for this series is from the students' catalogue, Corners and Intersections, published by Occasional Press, which is available from READ Books.  This series is produced by Robin Mitchell Cranfield.  Special thanks to Jon Hannan, Associate Dean of the Master of Design program at Emily Carr University, and to Brady Cranfield for our music. Chapters: (00:00:00) Introduction (00:02:56) The panelists and projects in this discussion (00:04:48) What is "Splace"? (00:08:26) Dechen Nagi on blended spaces (00:12:59) Natalie Chiovitti on the book as a space and the spectrum between space and place (00:16:55) Jefferson Aladé on collective spaces where people gather to listen to music (00:22:13) Natalie Chiovitti on using workshops and gallery spaces to research (00:32:16) Dechen Nagi on occupying the roles of both designer and user (00:39:33) Sahil Mroke on process, slow design, and boundary infrastructure (00:40:45) Asad Aftab on designing for cinematic VR audiences, non-linear storytelling, and the storyplex (00:51:44) Sahil Mroke on collaboration, curation, and identifying your audience (00:53:43) Jefferson Aladé on cultivating an intentional experience (00:57:24) Dechen Nagi on the value of information architecture (00:59:33) Natalie Chiovitti on her interdisciplinary practice (01:01:04) Asad Aftab on immersive and embodied experiences (01:02:41) Sahil Mroke's concluding remarks (01:03:01) Credits

    Corners and Intersections: Splace (Space + Place)

  5. 10/06/2024

    From and Beyond Design: Publishing and Typographic Cultures

    A roundtable discussion on "Publishing and Typographic Cultures" with graduating Master of Design students Sabid Ali, Diego Hernandez, Howsem Huang, and Liyang Zha, who sometimes uses the moniker Charlie. Hosted by Robin Mitchell Cranfield. This conversation was recorded in April of 2024 at Emily Carr University as part of our Thesis Project Seminar on Dissemination.  Our conversation began with the question, “What role does materiality have in your processes?” From there we discussed the potentials of working with both traditional technologies, like Riso printing on paper, and emerging technologies, like 3D printing. We also considered the role of publishing in building community, print design as a process of archiving, navigating our sometimes- overwhelming and fragmented information environment, lo-fi aesthetics and nostalgia, the expressive potential of production, and the future of publication design. Title and artwork for this podcast series are from the students' catalogue, ⁠From and Beyond Design: A Collection of Design Research Explorations⁠. Special thanks to Katherine Gillieson who was Associate Dean of the Master of Design program at the time of these recordings, and Brady Cranfield for our music.

  6. 10/06/2024

    From and Beyond Design: Justice and Community

    A roundtable discussion on "Justice and Community" with graduating Master of Design students Eden Luna Goldet, Natasha Kowo, Nimi Martins, and Priyanka Poulose. Hosted by Robin Mitchell Cranfield. This conversation was recorded in April of 2024 at Emily Carr University as part of our Thesis Project Seminar on Dissemination.  Our conversation began with the question, “How can design promote justice for marginalized communities, both human and non-human, while dealing with challenges and engaging with them?” From there, we discussed: The difference between designing with a community and for a community, the role of lived experience in the design process, managing and transforming anger through design, the pressure to produce a tangible outcome, and how design is evolving today. Title and artwork for this podcast series are from the students' catalogue, ⁠From and Beyond Design: A Collection of Design Research Explorations⁠. Priyanka Poulose also produced a wonderful podcast about menstruation as part of her graduate work called Bloom Talk, which is available on Spotify and other platforms. Special thanks to Katherine Gillieson who was Associate Dean of the Master of Design program at the time of these recordings, and Brady Cranfield for our music.

  7. 10/06/2024

    From and Beyond Design: Play as Process

    A roundtable discussion on "Play as Process" with graduating Master of Design students Julie McIntosh, Mayura Colling, Sahil Mroke, and Siddhant Singh. Hosted by Robin Mitchell Cranfield. This conversation was recorded in April of 2024 at Emily Carr University as part of our Thesis Project Seminar on Dissemination. Our conversation began with the question, “How does your process unearth something new in a familiar place?” From there, we discussed: How a design researcher engages in a play process as part of their research, how can each researcher engage with the specific needs of the community with whom they are working, and, how do risk, intuition, and language enter into play-based design research? Finally, we considered the idea of mindfulness as a creative process and as a game mechanic. Title and artwork for this podcast series are from the students' catalogue, From and Beyond Design: A Collection of Design Research Explorations. Special thanks to Katherine Gillieson who was Associate Dean of the Master of Design program at the time of these recordings, and Brady Cranfield for our music.

  • 7 Episodes

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Recordings of roundtable sessions with graduating students held as part of our class' spring seminar on dissemination, hosted by instructor Robin Mitchell Cranfield. Title + artwork for this series are from the students' catalogues, linked in our show notes.

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