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DesignMeets Recap: Cafe Talks Series - Designing the Future, the Future of Design

March 27, 2025 4 minute read

Designing the Future: Decolonization, Disruption, and the Art of Creating Your Own Seat at the Table

The inaugural DesignMeets Café Talk wasn’t just a conversation; it was a call to action. On a brisk January evening, as Toronto’s streets turned to ice, design minds gathered in the warm embrace of Ethica Coffee Roasters for a discussion that was anything but lukewarm. The topic? The future of design education, the dismantling of outdated silos, and the necessity of decolonization. Leading the charge was Dr. Lesley-Ann Noel, the newly minted Dean of Design at OCAD University, with systems thinker and design strategist Michael Dila steering the conversation.

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Event Takeaways

  • Breaking Down Silos in Design Education: Advocating for a broad-based design degree to foster interdisciplinary learning.
  • Decolonizing Design Practices: Integrating diverse cultural perspectives to move beyond Eurocentric models.
  • Preparing for Future Challenges: Emphasizing design processes to equip students for emerging fields.
  • Embracing Design Entrepreneurship: Encouraging designers to create their own opportunities beyond traditional roles.
  • Fostering Relational Design: Building strong connections within the design community to enhance collaboration and careers.

Read the full summary on DesignMeets.ca

About Design Meets

Proudly sponsored by Pivot Design Group, founded by Ian Chalmers, DesignMeets is a series of social events where the design community can connect, collaborate, and share ideas. Join us at a DesignMeets event to network, learn, and be inspired.
 

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