Thinking Through Design

Adam Fromme

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EDUCATION
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Thinking Through Design

Design is all around us, but how designers think through their work is often a mystery. Understanding that process can fuel our own curiosity and creativity. Adam Fromme hosts Thinking through Design as a series of in-depth discussions to reveal the designer's mindset and realize its value. Department of Design. The Ohio State University.

NOV 26

14. Finding your professional voice

Gene McHugh sits down with host Adam Fromme in this episode of Thinking through Design. This episode is on the evolving landscape of design careers, from the first job interview to establishing yourself as a design leader. The episode offers insights into mentorship and how designers can grow professionally in today’s changing workplace culture. The discussion highlights the importance of mentorship in the early stages of a designer’s career, emphasizing the value of communication and building strong professional relationships, urging designers to focus on essential “soft skills” like client management and adaptability. They also touch on fostering a culture where team members are empowered to take initiative, which can drive both personal and organizational growth. An alumnus of Ohio State Design, Gene McHugh is a prominent design leader and principal at Design Collective, a design firm specializing in architecture, interior design, and branding. Throughout his career, Gene has built a reputation for his expertise in a variety of sectors, including hospitality, workplace environments, and healthcare design. His work is marked by a focus on collaboration, client relationships, and creating designs that serve both functional and aesthetic needs. Gene’s leadership approach emphasizes the importance of mentoring younger designers and fostering an environment where creativity can flourish.

1h 10m
OCT 28

13. Peter Megert and the influence of Swiss design

Oscar Fernández sits down with host Adam Fromme in this episode of Thinking through Design. This episode is a celebration of the designer and educator, Peter Megert. A Swiss designer, Peter taught in the Department of Design at Ohio State and, more broadly, helped reshape American design curricula by emphasizing intellectual rigor and problem-solving over mere aesthetics. Peter’s influence, work and mannerisms, highlights how Swiss design—characterized by minimalism and clarity—emerged as a crucial visual language in post-war America, appealing to corporations eager to communicate efficiently in a rapidly expanding marketplace. This philosophy, rooted in the belief that good design prioritizes user needs and content hierarchy, has permeated contemporary design practice and education. Peter serves as one of many examples that Swiss design remain essential, guiding a new generation of designers to value simplicity and functionality in their work. This episode coincides with the Peter Megert (1937–2022) Retrospective Exhibition which runs from October 7–December 13, 2024 at the Hopkins Hall Gallery on Ohio State University’s campus in Columbus, Ohio. Oscar Fernández is a designer and educator with an MFA from Yale Design (1976). His design career spans leadership in various organizations, such as FITCH, VIA Group, Eyethink, and the Wexner Center for the Arts. He has also held academic positions at institutions like Maine College of Art and Ohio State University, and most recently served as the chair of the School of Design in the College of DAAP, University of Cincinnati. His areas of expertise and research include visual communications, interaction design, typography, information design, environmental communications/wayfinding, and usability.

55 min
OCT 14

12. Fashion, fabrics and technology

Sasha de Koninck, PhD sits down with host Adam Fromme in this episode of Thinking through Design. This episode examines the complex relationship between wearable technology and personal storytelling. The discussion traces the evolution of mechanized technology from player pianos to smart textiles, prompting critical reflections on what it means to wear technology. The episode also highlights the relationship younger generations have with technology and underscores a cultural shift toward valuing experiences over data. As the conversation develops, the concept of data physicalization—transforming wearable data into tangible forms—is introduced, inviting listeners to rethink how we interact with information and the narratives it can convey. Ultimately, this episode encourages a reevaluation of our relationship with technology, emphasizing wearables as tools for connection and self-expression. Sasha de Koninck earned her PhD in Intermedia Art, Writing, and Performance from the University of Colorado Boulder and an MFA in Fiber and Material Studies from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. For the past year, she was a Visiting Assistant Professor at Ohio State in the Department of Design. And she recently started her postdoctoral research at Northeastern University. Her research is focused on the intersection of design, technology and textile arts. She has been involved in innovative projects such as “Future Heirlooms,” which explores the creation of heirlooms for future use, merging traditional craft techniques with contemporary design practices. This project emphasizes the significance of physical artifacts in preserving cultural memories and histories. Additionally, her collaborative work has been recognized at major conferences, including the ACM SIGCHI Conference on Designing Interactive Systems, where her team received awards for their contributions.

51 min
JUN 1

11. Passion, participation and representation, Pt. 2

Jacinda Walker, Omari Souza and John Brown VI sit down with host Adam Fromme in this episode of Thinking through Design. Their conversation shares the impact of design on marginalized communities, highlighting how design can unintentionally cause harm. They emphasize the importance of considering the “in group” as well as the inevitable and often invisible “out group” in every design project. And their conversation touches on the limitations of traditional design education and the need for involving the actual users, especially underrepresented groups, in the design process. They advocate for shifting from rule-based to value-based design decision making process to create more inclusive and equitable outcomes. The inclusion of youth voices in designing public spaces like parks is also discussed, emphasizing that young people have valuable insights that should be considered. The guests are contributing authors to An Anthology of Blackness, The State of Black Design, edited by Terresa Moses and Omari Souza. This episode is the second in a two-part conversation to expand on the motivations, ideas and reflections within this publication. Dr. Jacinda N. Walker, founder of designExplorr, is a prominent figure in the fields of design, diversity, research, and strategy, notably through her influential thesis on increasing diversity in design disciplines. She aims to expand diversity initiatives for underrepresented youth in corporations, educational institutions, and museums. Omari Souza, an assistant professor at the University of North Texas, is the organizer of the State of Black Design Conference. A first-generation American of Jamaican descent, he has worked with notable organizations and holds degrees in Digital Media and Design; his research focuses on how visual narratives shape cultural perceptions. John Brown VI is experienced in leading design research, user testing, and creating prototypes, presenting findings to stakeholders. He is passionate about using design and research to develop human-centered strategies that transform user experiences.

28 min
MAY 15

10. Passion, participation and representation, Pt. 1

Anne Berry and S. Alfonso Williams sit down with host Adam Fromme in this episode of Thinking through Design. Their conversation explores the evolving landscape of design education and address the motivations for integrating social and cultural awareness into curricula, recognizing the diverse backgrounds of students, and including societal issues with design. They underscore the balance required to structured and open-ended assignments and the importance of making students feel seen and valued in the classroom. The conversation concludes with a focus on the broader implications of their teaching philosophies and ends by discussing practical steps for educators to nurture diverse voices and foster an inclusive, empathetic learning environment. Both guests are contributing authors to An Anthology of Blackness, The State of Black Design, edited by Terresa Moses and Omari Souza. This episode is the first in a two-part conversation to expand the motivations, ideas and reflections within this publication. Anne H. Berry is a writer, designer, and Associate Professor in the Department of Art and Design at Cleveland State University. Her research examines race and representation in design, focusing on ethnic and racial disparities in the graphic design field. Berry's work has been highlighted in Communication Arts magazine, Letterform Archive, and Kelly Walters' book Black, Brown + Latinx Design Educators: Conversations on Design and Race. Her publications include "The Virtual Design Classroom" for Communication Arts magazine, "The Black Designer's Identity and she is the managing editor of The Black Experience in Design: Identity, Expression, and Reflection, a book recognized by Fast Company and the Non-Obvious Book Awards in 2022. S. Alfonso Williams is a driven pre-med Biology and Psychology major, with interests in the philosophy of science and medicine, physiology, and systems science. Alfonso holds multiple fellowships and leadership roles: member of the Student National Medical Association Inc., fellow of the National Institute for African American Health Scholars, Jack, Joseph, and Morton Mandel Scholars Academy, Cuyahoga Community College Honors Program, Black American Council Metro Campus, and Advanced Leadership Institute.

42 min
APR 22

9. Can technology drive collaborative design?

Tomás Dorta sits down with host Adam Fromme in this episode of Thinking through Design. Their conversation dives into the collaborative essence of design, emphasizing empathy, active participation, and shared ownership. They explore the evolution of ideas through dialogue and negotiation, advocating for inclusive approaches and collective authorship. They discuss how technology can prompt awareness of nuances, like the rhythm of a conversation, to foster collaboration. This underscores design's transformative potential in addressing complex societal challenges and fostering understanding. Ultimately, it serves as a poignant reminder of the power of collaboration in shaping a shared world through design. Tomás Dorta is a leading figure known for his pioneering research in integrating new technologies into the design process. With a background in architecture and design, he earned his Ph.D. in 2001, focusing on virtual reality's role in design visualization. His research, funded by Canadian federal and provincial grants, is widely published and presented internationally. As an educator, he is a Full Professor at Université de Montréal's School of Design, teaching courses on design research, co-design, and industrial design. He's also an Affiliate Professor at Pennsylvania State University. Tomás has served on editorial boards for top journals and founded the Design Research Laboratory Hybridlab in 2008. In 2016, he co-founded the startup Systèmes Hybridlab, where he serves as president, focusing on innovative design technologies.

1 hr
APR 11

8. A call for contamination

Fabio Di Liberto sits down with host Adam Fromme in this episode of Thinking through Design. Their conversation settled at the intersection of empathy in design and the importance of intentional play in the workplace. At its core lies the concept of contamination theory, advocating for the intentional exposure to diverse experiences and interests as a catalyst for creativity. Fabio underscores the importance of discomfort, curiosity and the role of surprise in this process, challenging conventional thinking and fostering innovation. Overall, they offer a holistic exploration of design as a transformative approach that integrates curiosity and creativity with a deep understanding of human experiences. Their conversation ends with a call to reconsider the way we approach design, emphasizing its potential to create positive change and foster a more empathetic and sustainable future. Fabio is a visionary designer with a background in architecture and a passion for photography, travel, and philosophy. He combines creativity with purpose, infusing his work with a unique perspective. As the Brand Innovation Officer and founder of Habitus®, a sustainable brand innovation consultancy, he drives meaningful change. Previously, as Brand Director at ISKO™, he focused on global strategies centered around people. With over two decades of experience in brand, product, and service innovation, his mission is to create unforgettable experiences. Fabio is a Fulbright Scholar with a master’s degree in industrial design from Pratt Institute and a degree in Architecture from the University of Palermo.

1h 2m
MAR 18

7. Mastering the design brief

Sébastien Proulx sits down with host Adam Fromme in this episode of Thinking through Design. Their conversation discussed the intricate dynamics of the design process, underscoring the need for designers to confidently tackle challenges, foster creativity and uphold professionalism in the design industry. The design brief was offered as an essential tool for guiding design projects, maintaining focus, and ensuring alignment with client expectations. As the essential qualities of the design brief were detailed, central themes of clear communication, goal delineation and client collaborative surfaced. Overall, the discussion provided valuable insights for practitioners aiming to address needs effectively. Sébastien is an Associate Professor in the Department of Design at Ohio State University, where he coordinates the Industrial Design major and co-directs the DESIS Lab. He holds a PhD and Master of Applied Science in Design from the University of Montreal. Before joining Ohio State, he taught at the University of Montreal for 12 years, focusing on social service design and visual communication for industrial design students. Dr. Proulx's research explores the role of designers in shaping public services and policies, drawing on moral sociology and care ethics. His work aims to expand design's impact in public service development and equip designers with the skills to navigate complex social and political landscapes.

58 min

5

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8 Ratings

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Apr 10

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Design is all around us, but how designers think through their work is often a mystery. Understanding that process can fuel our own curiosity and creativity. Adam Fromme hosts Thinking through Design as a series of in-depth discussions to reveal the designer's mindset and realize its value. Department of Design. The Ohio State University.

Creator

Adam Fromme
Years Active

2023 - 2024
Episodes

14
Rating

Clean
Copyright

© 2024
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Thinking Through Design

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