DSGN AGNC principal, New School adjunct professor

Design often involves the fine balance of engaging with on-the-ground realities while working within critical processes that ask tough questions and demand noble solutions. As designers work within ‘communities’ that balance seems to be in question, with criticality sometimes in the losing end. Communities will be better served by designers that, while listening attentively, also recognize their unique role in making, ask tough questions, seek excellence in making and recognize political ramifications of interventions. Academic institutions are particularly well placed to go deeper into issues and show designers and practices to engage deeply and criticality.