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Our Discipline Now 2026

Design is more than just creating visuals, objects, or concepts; it plays a crucial role in shaping society, culture, and our daily Lives. Its influence surrounds us, delivering powerful messages that resonate personally. To achieve effective design, we must Draw upon insights from diverse fields such as marketing, psychology, anthropology, sociology, and semiotics. This allows us to forge compelling communications that genuinely engage and inspire.

Today’s new generation of design educators and practitioners is pioneering exciting pathways for the discipline. Initiatives like UDA’s ‘About our discipline now’ encourage valuable insights and spark meaningful discussions among colleagues, driving the evolution of design forward worldwide.




SCIENTIFIC VALIDATION OF GRAPHIC DESIGN

ZHIYONG ZHAO
ASSOCIATE DEAN, SCHOOL OF FINE ARTS, SHANGHAI NORMAL UNIVERSITY
“Scientific Thinking about Design in 2025.”

CREATIVITY AT THE THRESHOLD

JORGE BRANDAO PEREIRA
VP FOR DESIGN ETHICS – UDA
“We call for a design practice that remains critical, communicative, and unmistakably human.

THE POWER OF SIDE QUESTS

SARAH A. MEYER
VICE PRESIDENT OF DESIGN EDUCATION
“Designing a Career Through Unintended Pathways

SEEING FAR IN STILLNESS

YAO XUPENG
SCHOOL OF ART AND DESIGN, QILU UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY
“A Reflection and Summary on Design for 2025.”

MASTERING CONCEPT INNOVATION FOR CREATIVE DESIGN AND FUTURE SHAPING

ALBERT CHOI, Ph.D.
PRESIDENT EMERITUS
“Enhancing critical 21st-century skills—such as conceptual ability, information gathering, creativity, organizational ability, and implementation proficiency.”