UCDA 2026 Design Education Summit: Horizon

Expanding boundaries, exploring new possibilities.

The horizon represents both a limit a nd a possibility—a boundary that invites us to imagine what lies beyond. “Horizon” serves as a metaphor for exploring the future of design education, envisioning the possibilities that await us, and preparing for tomorrow’s challenges.

In design research and pedagogy, looking toward the horizon means embracing a forward-thinking approach. It encourages us to investigate emerging trends, speculate on the future of technology and society, and equip the next generation of designers with the tools and mindsets to navigate an ever-evolving world. Whether it’s addressing the implications of artificial intelligence, envisioning sustainable futures, or fostering global collaboration, the horizon reminds us to stay curious and proactive.

Las Vegas, with its reputation as a city of innovation and reinvention, provides a fitting backdrop for this exploration. Hosting the UCDA Design Education Summit at UNLV offers participants the chance to engage in forward-looking discussions and activities that challenge conventional ideas and expand the boundaries of design education. Through thought-provoking presentations, hands-on workshops, and inspiring dialogues, we aim to ignite conversations that shape the trajectory of our discipline.

Join us in Las Vegas as we gaze toward the horizon, discovering new perspectives and opportunities to redefine design education and research for the future.

Event Registration

*If you are a student but not a UCDA member, we recommend that you join UCDA at the Student Rate of $25 before registering for the event to receive the best rate and the benefits of a 12-month UCDA membership. 

NOT A UCDA MEMBER? JOIN NOW FOR DISCOUNTED REGISTRATION!

Registration Cancellations
See UCDA Cancellation Policies

Event Location

The University of Nevada, Las Vegas is a doctoral degree-granting institution with more than 30,000 students and nearly 4,000 faculty and staff, and has earned the nation’s highest recognition for both research and community engagement from the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. UNLV offers a broad range of respected academic programs and is committed to recruiting and retaining top students and faculty, educating the region’s diverse population and workforce, driving economic activity, and delivering high-quality healthcare to Southern Nevadans. 

Located in the heart of Las Vegas, UNLV’s campus is blocks away from the neon lights of the Vegas strip and a short drive from the breathtaking scenic views of Red Rock Canyon, Lake Mead, and the Hoover Dam. 

Learn more at unlv.edu.

Travel & Lodging

Lodging

Hyatt Place Las Vegas is ideally located near the UNLV campus, the Thomas & Mack Center, and the Las Vegas Strip. Enjoy a wide array of activities and attractions, including the High Roller observation wheel and Downtown Container Park shopping mall, on the doorstep.

Conveniently located just minutes from Harry Reid International Airport, arrivals and departures are quick and easy for your Vegas stay. (Please note: The hotel does not offer airport shuttle service.)

Your stay includes:

• Complimentary Breakfast served buffet-style: Mon.-Fri., 6:30–9 a.m.;  Sat.-Sun., 7–10:00 a.m.  
• Complimentary Wi-Fi
• Access to pool and fitness center 
• $20 Daily Parking

Book with our UCDA discounted hotel rate! $126/night, May 18-21
Rooms are also available for Sun., May 17, and Fri., May 22, at a rate of $189/night.

Standard rates apply outside of these dates. To receive the discount and ensure a room, your reservations must be received by the hotel before Friday, Apr. 17, 2026, and booked directly with the Hyatt Place Las Vegas using the booking link below. 

UCDA Hyatt Place Las Vegas booking portal

Your hotel stay is not included in the conference registration fee. Attendees are responsible for making their own reservations.

Insider tip: Book your room and flight early!

Room blocks may fill before the hotel deadline and have sold out in recent years, so please make your reservation immediately to ensure availability and the discounted rate.

Air Travel

The nearest airport to UNLV is Harry Reid International Airport (LAS), located just 2 miles from campus. The airport offers extensive domestic and international flights, making it a convenient option for travelers. From the airport, UNLV is accessible by taxi, rideshare, shuttle, or a short drive.

By Car

UNLV is easily accessible by car via major highways, including Interstate 15 and Interstate 215. The university is located near the Las Vegas Strip, with clear signage leading to campus. 

ABSTRACTS - CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS

The Call for Abstracts is NOW CLOSED

There are five (5) formats: Presentation, Panel, Poster, Workshop, and Graduate Student Presentations

Call for Abstracts Information & Specifications

Call for Abstracts Entry Form

The call for proposals will open on Dec. 19, 2025, and close on Friday, Feb. 13, 2026 (Extended to  Friday, Feb. 20, 2026). Presenters will be notified in March 2026. The event schedule and featured speakers will be announced in late April 2026. 

Student Poster Competitions Call for Entries - NOW OPEN!

EVENT SCHEDULE (Tentative)

Preliminary Schedule. Subject to change. Attendees will receive a final schedule via Event Micro-Website and Event Program. Please note: Paper Presentations, Workshops, and Panels are concurrent.

TUESDAY, MAY 19

8:00 a.m.
Onsite Registration
UNLV Student Union

8:00-9:00 a.m.
Coffee and Morning Snacks
UNLV Ballroom

9:15-9:45 a.m.
Summit Kick-Off
UNLV Ballroom

9:45-10:45 a.m. 
Keynote: Sheharazad Fleming, Executive Creative Director/California Dreamer
UNLV Ballroom

11:15-11:45 a.m.
Paper Presentations - Group 1
UNLV Student Union

[1.1] Non-Western Graphic Design (Room 208A)
Ron Alabanza, Bridgewater College
Tess Dean, Bridgewater College
Amir Suboh, Bridgewater College
Kiya Whitaker, Bridgewater College

[1.2] Primarium: A Collaborative Research Platform for Handwriting, Typography, and Educational Practice (Room 208B)
José Scaglione, TypeTogether

[1.3] A Pilot Study: Look into LLM-augmented User Research in UX Design Education (Room 208C)
Nan Hu, Central Connecticut State University

12:00-1:45 p.m.
Lunch Roundtables
UNLV Ballroom

2:00-2:30 p.m.
Paper Presentations - Group 2
UNLV Student Union

[2.1] Designing Place-Based Environmental Stories with AR (Room 208A)
Riva Nayaju, Auburn University
Courtney Windham, Auburn University

[2.2] The Process is the Project: Teaching A Participatory Approach (Room 208B)
Rachel Herring, Rochester Institute of Technology

[2.3] AI Is Changing UX. Are We Teaching It? (Room 208C)
Mira Jung, Kansas State University
Sang Lee, Drake University
Aaron Yang, Iowa State University

2:45-3:45 p.m.
Workshops - Group 3
UNLV Student Union

[3.1] WORKSHOP: Who Owns the Algorithm (Room 208A)
Kevin Ward, The Ohio State University
Saša Crkvenjaš, WPP Media

[3.2] WORKSHOP: From Empathize to Examine: INTEGRATING IDENTITY AND BIAS INTO DESIGN THINKING PEDAGOGY (Room 208B)
Andrea Hempstead, Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi

[3.3] WORKSHOP: High-Tech & Low-Tech Symbols (Room 208C)
Jenny Kowalski, Lehigh University

4:00-4:30 p.m.
Paper Presentations - Group 4
UNLV Student Union

[4.1] Toward the Horizon: Design as Mediative Intelligence Between Complexity and Coherence (Room 208A)
Jinsook  Kim, Georgian Court University

[4.2] Mickey’s Ten Commandments: Leveraging Disney Imagineering Thinking in the Classroom (Room 208B)
Dave Gottwald, University of Idaho

[4.3] Serious Play: Teaching Strategy Through Game Design (Room 208C)
Abby Guido, Tyler School of Art and Architecture, Temple University

[4.4] Slow Concepting Meets Rapid Prototyping: A Framework for Speculative Ideation (Room 224)
Isabel Bo-Linn, Portland State University

4:45-5:15 p.m.
Paper Presentations - Group 5
UNLV Student Union

[5.1] Augmented Reality as a Tool for Community-Driven Historical Storytelling: Expanding the Horizon of Design Education (Room 208A)
Marjan Khatibi, San Jose State University
Samira Shiridevich, University of North Carolina at Charlotte

[5.2] Four Dimensions of Trace: A Methodology of Process and Time (Room 208B)
Tracey Ullom, Portland Community College and Portland State University

[5.3] Making Beyond the Prompt: AI and Student-Authored Design (Room 208C)
Brandon Olsen, Iowa State University

[5.4] Design Education at the Intersection of Campus and Community: How Investing In Community-Centered Student Work Creates Lasting Town-Gown Returns (Room 224)
Matthew Leech, James Madison University

5:30-7:30 p.m.
Poster Presentations and Opening Reception
UNLV Student Union Ballroom

[P.1] Beyond the Horizon: Augmented Reality as a Bridge Between Legacy and the Future of Design Education
Samira Shiridevich, University of North Carolina at Charlotte

[P.2] Designing Tactile Communication
Jenny Kowalski, Lehigh University

[P.3] Interpretive Wandering: Disciplinary Drift in Emergent Design
Allen Sayegh, Harvard Graduate School of Design
Ben Kazer, Harvard Graduate School of Design
Eric Rannestad, Harvard Graduate School of Design

[P.4] Redesigning Contested Symbols: Historical Awareness in Visual Communication Education
Do Gyun Kim, Purdue University

[P.5] Command+g Design Lab: A Student-Led Design Studio Expanding the Boundaries of Design Education
Keli DiRisio, Rochester Institute of Technology

[P.6] Convenience and Criticality in Design Education: A.I.
Gaby Hernández, University of Arkansas

[P.7] Applying Graphic Design and Landscape Architecture Methodologies to Visualize Water Usage and Flow
Eugene Park, University of Minnesota, Twin Cities

[P.8] Scanning the Horizon: Observations from visiting design programs
Lorrie Frear, Rochester Institute of Technology

[P.9] Designing Beyond the Degree: A Life-Integrated Framework for Design Education
Christina Carrasquilla, Arizona State University

[P.10] What’s Next on the Horizon?!
Carol Fillip, Rochester Institute of Technology

[P.11] Persona.exe: Analyzing Decision‑Making Through Interactive Story Pathways
Hang Yuan, University of Southern Indiana

[P.12] Typography for Sustainability: The Daily Drop Cap Project as a Tool for SDG Engagement
Samira Shiridevich, University of North Carolina at Charlotte

WEDNESDAY, MAY 20

8:00 a.m.
Onsite Registration
UNLV Student Union

8:00-9:00 a.m.
Coffee and Morning Snacks
UNLV Ballroom

9:00-9:15 a.m.
Opening Remarks
UNLV Ballroom

9:15-10:00 a.m.
Keynote: Debra Satterfield, Design Researcher/Educator
UNLV Ballroom

10:15-10:45 a.m.
Paper Presentations - Group 6
UNLV Student Union

[6.1] Tactile Horizons: 3D Printing in Graphic Design Education (Room 208A)
Hairi Han, Benedictine University

[6.2] A Global Approach to Typography: Introducing Multilingual Scripts in Beginning Design Courses (Room 208B)
Anna Jordan, Rochester Institute of Technology
Aisha AlNouri, Rochester Institute of Technology
Unika Dhakhwa, Rochester Institute of Technology
Jatin Joshi, Rochester Institute of Technology

[6.3] Welcome to the DISCO: Spaceships as a Gateway to Inclusive Design (Room 208C)
Lynn Priestley, University of Pittsburgh
Dr. Jessica FitzPatrick, University of Pittsburgh

[6.4] Reimagining Design Critique as an Inclusive Learning Practice (Room 224)
Sang Eun Lee, Drake University
Mira Jung, Kansas State University

11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
Panel and Workshops  - Group 7
UNLV Student Union

[7.1] PANEL: Designing for Care: Teaching Health with Responsibility (Room 208A)
Bree McMahon, University of Arkansas
Dr. Rachael Paine, Virginia Tech
Yvette Shen, The Ohio State University
Sousan Samanifar, University of Arkansas
Valeska Tan, The Ohio State University

[7.2] WORKSHOP: SOUND IN FORM ::: INQUIRY · INTUITION · PURPOSEFUL PLAY (Room 208B)
Mario F. Bocanegra Martinez, Auburn University
Riva Nayaju, Auburn University

[7.3] STUDENT WORKSHOP: Resume Writing (Room 208C)
benjie wilhem, Arizona State University

[7.4] WORKSHOP: Let’s Play (-Doh!): A Model for Analog Practice in Design Education (Room 224)
Ariel Romero, University of Arkansas - Fayetteville

12:15-1:45 p.m.
Lunch Roundtables
UNLV Ballroom

2:00-2:30 p.m.
Paper Presentations - Group 8
UNLV Student Union

[8.1] Bridging Graphic and Industrial Design Perspectives in UX Education: Extending Student Thinking to Product and Spatial Experiences (Room 208A)
Sang-Duck Seo, University of Nevada Las Vegas
Yeongwook Shin, Auburn University

[8.2] Teaching at the Threshold: m(other)ing and the Pedagogy of In-Between States (Room 208B)
Bree McMahon, University of Arkansas
Meaghan Dee, Virginia Tech

[8.3] Typo/Graphic Pattern Workshop: Teaching Typographic Form through Surface Pattern Design (Room 208C)
Anna Jordan, Rochester Institute of Technology

[8.4] Reclaiming Narratives for the Futures We Build: Technology Empowered Storytelling as a Pedagogical Framework (Room 224)
Nadia Issa, University of Arkansas

2:45-3:45 p.m.
Panel and Workshops - Group 9
UNLV Student Union

[9.1] PANEL: Permission to Play: RECLAIMING EXPERIMENTATION ON THE DESIGN HORIZON (Room 208A)
Andrea Hempstead, Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi
Grace Hamilton, Assistant Professor of Graphic Communications, CUNY Baruch College
Meghan Kelly, Associate Professor of Textile Design, Thomas Jefferson University
Mallory Kimmel, Visiting Assistant Professor of Foundations, Lehigh University
Ting Zhou, Assistant Professor of Digital Media & Design, University of Connecticut

[9.2] WORKSHOP: Neurodiversity By Design: Incorporating Accessible Practices in to Design Education (Room 208B)
Ana Farnham, George Mason University

[9.3]WORKSHOP: Futures Literacy: Speculating Beyond the Now (Room 208C)
Helen Maria Nugent, California College of the Arts

[9.4]WORKSHOP: Life-Integrated Learning: Designing for the 60-Year Creative Career (Room 224)
Christina Carrasquilla, Arizona State University

4:00-4:30 p.m.
Paper Presentations - Group 10
UNLV Student Union

[10.1] Toward Supportive Care: Designing an AI-Driven UX Platform for Anxiety Management in Women Undergoing Thyroid Cancer Treatment (Room 208A)
Sousan Samanifar, University of Arkansas

[10.2] Hidden in Plain Sight: Designing Wearable Safety for Queer Communities CANCELLED
Lilly White, University of Arkansas

[10.3] Design For Healing: Exploring how the use of interactive media in biophilic design can support human well-being (Room 208C)
Gregory Adjei Darteh, University of Arkansas

[10.4] Gatebreaking: Dossier as Design Artifact (Room 224)
Christina Singer, University of North Carolina at Charlotte

4:45-5:15 p.m.
Paper Presentations - Group 11
UNLV Student Union

[11.1] Service Learning for Enterprise Software: Partnering Interaction Design Students with University Information Technology (Room 208A)
Dave Gottwald, University of Idaho

[11.2] Crafting Voice: Artificial Intelligence’s Role in Reshaping Design Writing Practices (Room 208B)
Katie Krcmarik, Illinois State University

[11.3] Leadership by Design: Building Layered Leadership Pipelines in Undergraduate Programs (Room 208C) 
Audra Rygh, Liberty University
Stacy Cannon, Liberty University

[11.4] The Medium is the Menace: Creative Courage Through the Storm of Slop (Room 224)
David Kasparek, Messiah University

THURSDAY, MAY 21

8:00 a.m.
Onsite Registration
UNLV Student Union

8:00-9:00 a.m.
Coffee and Morning Snacks
UNLV Ballroom

9:00-9:45 a.m.
Closing Remarks & 2027 Sneak Peek
UNLV Ballroom

10:00-10:30 a.m.
Paper Presentations - Group 12
UNLV Student Union

[12.1] Design Across Disciplines: Navigating Collaboration, Community, and Complexity in Design Education CANCELLED
Samira Shiridevich, University of North Carolina at Charlotte

[12.2] Beyond the Curriculum: Strategic Event Platforms for the Future of Design Education (Room 208B)
Patrick Finley, Iowa State University

[12.3] Preparing Designers for a Successful Career in a World with AI (Room 208C)
Aaron Neeley, Truman State University 

10:45-11:15 a.m.
Paper Presentations - Group 13
UNLV Student Union

[13.1] Sense-Making in Design: Immersive Experience Pedagogy CANCELLED
Diana Rubi, University of Arkansas
Mairi Morassut, University of Arkansas

[13.2] From Form to Meaning: A Participatory, AI-Supported Framework for Teaching Composition in Design Education (Room 208B)
Narges Sedaghat, East Carolina University

[13.3] Coding Literacy in the Era of AI: What Do Designers Need to Know? (Room 208C)
Megan Asbeck, SUNY Brockport

11:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
Paper Presentations - Group 14
UNLV Student Union

[14.1] Subtexting: Teaching Semiotics Through Emoji (Room 208A)
Bryan Satalino, Tyler School of Art and Architecture, Temple University

[14.2] Understanding UX Design Position Requirements from Job Postings: An AIAssisted, Prompt-Based Approach (Room 208B)
Aaron Zhenhua Yang, Iowa State University

[14.4] From Client to User: Design Empathy in the Classroom (Room 208C)
Dave Gottwald, University of Idaho

12:15-1:45 p.m.
Lunch Roundtables
UNLV Ballroom

2:00-2:30 p.m.
Paper Presentations - Group 15
UNLV Student Union

[15.1] Typography as Voice: Teaching Speculative Futures Through Type (Room 208A)
Andrea Hardin, University of Arkansas

[15.2] AI as Collaborator, Not Creator: Teaching Strategic AI Integration in Design Education (Room 208B)
Marwa Elkashif, Wartburg College

[15.3] Structured Uncertainty: Process, Exploration, and the Formation of Creative Voice in Time-Based Media (Room 208C)
Brandon Olsen, Iowa State University

[15.4] Revising a design program: Looking to the Horizon (Room 224)
Neil Ward, Drake University

2:45-3:45 p.m.
Workshops - Group 16
UNLV Student Union

[16.1] Workshop: MERGING OF HORIZONS: HYBRID COLLAGE (Room 208A)
Pouya Jahanshahi, Oklahoma State University

[16.2] Workshop: Crossing the Horizon: Building True Vectors, Critiquing Pseudo-Vectors, and Reclaiming AI Designs (Room 208B)
Scott Vayakone, Gardner-Webb University

[16.3] Workshop: Civic Reactivation: Joy as Resistance Through Embodied Making (Room 208C)
Vicki Meloney, Kutztown University
Doris Palmeros, University of the Incarnate Word

4:00-4:30 p.m.
Paper Presentations - Group 17
UNLV Student Union

[17.1] The Ghost in the Machine: Redefining Human Agency in Automated Design (Room 208A)
Eric Jackson, Middle Tennessee State University

[17.2] Canceled Fonts: Teaching Type History Honestly (Room 208B)
Dave Gottwald, University of Idaho

[17.3] From Approval to Action: A Road Map for Implementing a UX Design Certificate Program at a Four-Year Comprehensive University (Room 208C)
Nan Hu, Central Connecticut State University

4:30-5:00 p.m.
Closing Gathering
UNLV Ballroom

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