{"id":25637,"date":"2026-06-23T08:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-06-23T12:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/design.ncsu.edu\/graphic-design\/2026\/06\/23\/designing-together-inside-the-first-gxdid-joint-studio-with-lenovo\/"},"modified":"2026-07-24T10:59:48","modified_gmt":"2026-07-24T14:59:48","slug":"designing-together-inside-the-first-gxdid-joint-studio-with-lenovo","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/design.ncsu.edu\/graphic-design\/2026\/06\/23\/designing-together-inside-the-first-gxdid-joint-studio-with-lenovo\/","title":{"rendered":"Designing Together: Inside the First GXD+ID Joint Studio with Lenovo"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For decades, design education has largely followed a familiar structure: disciplines separated, projects contained, collaboration encouraged but not always embedded. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Taking place amongst desks covered in prototypes and sketches in Lampe Hall, a new studio is challenging that model. In the studio, named Envisioning Future Experiences, students from industrial design (ID) and graphic &amp; experience design (GXD) are brought together to work as unified, holistic design teams.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Envisioning Future Experiences is the college\u2019s first joint studio of its kind, developed in partnership with Lenovo. The studio asks a fundamental question: what happens when hardware and software designers learn to think and build together from the start?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Designing Together: Inside the First GXD+ID Joint Studio with Lenovo\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/BOOtU66NIJ8?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">According to Lenovo\u2019s design leadership, that question reflects a broader shift already underway in the field. \u201cThe role of the designer is changing,\u201d said Brian Leonard, Lenovo\u2019s vice president of design. \u201cTraditionally designers would be focused only on hardware design, software design or user experience. Now, collaboration between those disciplines is creating the experiences of the future, especially in the era of AI.\u201d<br>That future is rooted in experience. Not just how something looks or feels, but how it functions across physical and digital touchpoints. For students, that meant moving beyond familiar workflows and into a more integrated and at times unpredictable process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cIt was the first time for us doing this in the same timeline,\u201d said Assistant Professor of Industrial Design, Byungsoo Kim. \u201cWe were also figuring things out as we were moving toward different phases, and kind of making a roadmap as we were going.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/design.ncsu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/LenovoStudio-1-web-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"Student project sketches.\" class=\"wp-image-41831\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Student project sketches.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">That uncertainty was by design. Rather than prescribing solutions, the studio emphasized open-ended problem-solving. Students were asked to identify opportunities in the growing space between physical products and digital systems, or \u201cphygital\u201d experiences, and then develop concepts that addressed both simultaneously.<br>\u201cIt wasn\u2019t about what we thought should exist,\u201d said Katie Gray Jackson, Lenovo\u2019s design chief of staff. \u201cWe wanted the the students to find a user\u2019s problem then work collaboratively to find solutions organically. And that\u2019s really what they\u2019ve achieved.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The process was supported by an unusually high level of industry engagement. Hardware, software and UX designers from Lenovo regularly joined critiques, offering feedback from multiple perspectives. For faculty and students alike, that access created a more immersive learning environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cAnytime design experts come to our studio, they bring a whole new level of energy and motivation with them,\u201d said David Oh, an assistant professor of graphic &amp; experience design. \u201cIt was apparent that students really appreciated the time and effort from Lenovo\u2019s leadership.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For students, the impact was immediate and, at times, challenging. Working across disciplines meant navigating different design languages, priorities and processes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI think at first it was a bit of a challenge, just because the GXD and ID processes are very different,\u201d said Danielle Varner, a senior in graphic &amp; experience design. \u201cBut it was really helpful to think about a broader design perspective rather than working in silos.\u201d<br>That shift in perspective often led to stronger outcomes. Projects evolved through continuous dialogue between hardware and software considerations, resulting in more cohesive and realistic solutions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cOur product would not have been anywhere near as effective without graphic design being involved in the process,\u201d said Sarita Schneider, a senior in industrial design. \u201cAnd I feel like they would say the same.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/design.ncsu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/LenovoPresentations-28-web-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"Student Sarita Schneider presenting with her team at Lenovo&apos;s HQ.\" class=\"wp-image-41830\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Student Sarita Schneider presenting with her team at Lenovo&#8217;s HQ.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Faculty observed the same trend. In post-studio feedback, students reported that their final projects were significantly improved compared to work developed within a single discipline. \u201cThe overall sentiment was that better interaction leads to better outcomes,\u201d Kim noted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">What made the studio particularly notable, however, was not just the quality of the work but the nature of the collaboration itself. While cross-disciplinary teamwork is often discussed in professional settings, it remains difficult to implement even at the industry level, let alone the educational level.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI hear often that it\u2019s really challenging for even professionals to work with hardware and software together,\u201d Kim said. \u201cSome companies try, and it doesn\u2019t work.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In that context, the studio offered something rare: a space where emerging designers could experiment with collaboration before entering the workforce. Without the constraints of established roles or rigid processes, students were able to adapt more fluidly, learning how to design together.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cStudents felt more comfortable working together,\u201d Oh said. \u201cI thought it would be harder, but it was probably much easier than professionals coming from different disciplines.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For Lenovo, the experience was equally valuable. \u201cIt\u2019s not just about what the students learn from us, we learn a lot from them as well,\u201d Leonard said. \u201cSeeing the students work so well together reinforced the importance of collaborative design. Design is a team sport!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As the College of Design continues to evaluate and refine the studio, one thing is clear: this model represents more than a one-time experiment. It points toward a broader evolution in design education that mirrors the realities of contemporary practice.<br>\u201cI had to learn really quickly how to be a bit of a translator,\u201d Jackson said, reflecting on her own experience entering a multidisciplinary design team. \u201cYou have to understand different design perspectives and languages to find that harmony.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><em>This post was <a href=\"https:\/\/design.ncsu.edu\/blog\/2026\/06\/23\/designing-together-inside-the-first-gxdid-joint-studio-with-lenovo\/\">originally published<\/a> in College of Design Blog.<\/em><\/p>","protected":false,"raw":"<!-- wp:ncst\/dynamic-header {\"block\":\"ncst\/default-post-header\"} -->\n<!-- wp:ncst\/default-post-header {\"caption\":\"Byungsoo Kim, student Sam Lesser, Brian Leonard, Katie Gray Jackson, student Danielle Varner and David Oh.\"} \/-->\n<!-- \/wp:ncst\/dynamic-header -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>For decades, design education has largely followed a familiar structure: disciplines separated, projects contained, collaboration encouraged but not always embedded. <\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Taking place amongst desks covered in prototypes and sketches in Lampe Hall, a new studio is challenging that model. In the studio, named Envisioning Future Experiences, students from industrial design (ID) and graphic &amp; experience design (GXD) are brought together to work as unified, holistic design teams.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Envisioning Future Experiences is the college\u2019s first joint studio of its kind, developed in partnership with Lenovo. The studio asks a fundamental question: what happens when hardware and software designers learn to think and build together from the start?<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:embed {\"url\":\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/BOOtU66NIJ8\",\"type\":\"video\",\"providerNameSlug\":\"youtube\",\"responsive\":true,\"className\":\"wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/BOOtU66NIJ8\n<\/div><\/figure>\n<!-- \/wp:embed -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>According to Lenovo\u2019s design leadership, that question reflects a broader shift already underway in the field. \u201cThe role of the designer is changing,\u201d said Brian Leonard, Lenovo\u2019s vice president of design. \u201cTraditionally designers would be focused only on hardware design, software design or user experience. Now, collaboration between those disciplines is creating the experiences of the future, especially in the era of AI.\u201d<br>That future is rooted in experience. Not just how something looks or feels, but how it functions across physical and digital touchpoints. For students, that meant moving beyond familiar workflows and into a more integrated and at times unpredictable process.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>\u201cIt was the first time for us doing this in the same timeline,\u201d said Assistant Professor of Industrial Design, Byungsoo Kim. \u201cWe were also figuring things out as we were moving toward different phases, and kind of making a roadmap as we were going.\u201d<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:image {\"id\":41831,\"sizeSlug\":\"large\",\"linkDestination\":\"none\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img src=\"https:\/\/design.ncsu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/LenovoStudio-1-web-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"Student project sketches.\" class=\"wp-image-41831\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Student project sketches.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<!-- \/wp:image -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>That uncertainty was by design. Rather than prescribing solutions, the studio emphasized open-ended problem-solving. Students were asked to identify opportunities in the growing space between physical products and digital systems, or \u201cphygital\u201d experiences, and then develop concepts that addressed both simultaneously.<br>\u201cIt wasn\u2019t about what we thought should exist,\u201d said Katie Gray Jackson, Lenovo\u2019s design chief of staff. \u201cWe wanted the the students to find a user\u2019s problem then work collaboratively to find solutions organically. And that\u2019s really what they\u2019ve achieved.\u201d<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>The process was supported by an unusually high level of industry engagement. Hardware, software and UX designers from Lenovo regularly joined critiques, offering feedback from multiple perspectives. For faculty and students alike, that access created a more immersive learning environment.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>\u201cAnytime design experts come to our studio, they bring a whole new level of energy and motivation with them,\u201d said David Oh, an assistant professor of graphic &amp; experience design. \u201cIt was apparent that students really appreciated the time and effort from Lenovo\u2019s leadership.\u201d<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>For students, the impact was immediate and, at times, challenging. Working across disciplines meant navigating different design languages, priorities and processes.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>\u201cI think at first it was a bit of a challenge, just because the GXD and ID processes are very different,\u201d said Danielle Varner, a senior in graphic &amp; experience design. \u201cBut it was really helpful to think about a broader design perspective rather than working in silos.\u201d<br>That shift in perspective often led to stronger outcomes. Projects evolved through continuous dialogue between hardware and software considerations, resulting in more cohesive and realistic solutions.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>\u201cOur product would not have been anywhere near as effective without graphic design being involved in the process,\u201d said Sarita Schneider, a senior in industrial design. \u201cAnd I feel like they would say the same.\u201d <\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:image {\"id\":41830,\"sizeSlug\":\"large\",\"linkDestination\":\"none\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img src=\"https:\/\/design.ncsu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/LenovoPresentations-28-web-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"Student Sarita Schneider presenting with her team at Lenovo&apos;s HQ.\" class=\"wp-image-41830\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Student Sarita Schneider presenting with her team at Lenovo's HQ.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<!-- \/wp:image -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Faculty observed the same trend. In post-studio feedback, students reported that their final projects were significantly improved compared to work developed within a single discipline. \u201cThe overall sentiment was that better interaction leads to better outcomes,\u201d Kim noted.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>What made the studio particularly notable, however, was not just the quality of the work but the nature of the collaboration itself. While cross-disciplinary teamwork is often discussed in professional settings, it remains difficult to implement even at the industry level, let alone the educational level.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>\u201cI hear often that it\u2019s really challenging for even professionals to work with hardware and software together,\u201d Kim said. \u201cSome companies try, and it doesn\u2019t work.\u201d<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>In that context, the studio offered something rare: a space where emerging designers could experiment with collaboration before entering the workforce. Without the constraints of established roles or rigid processes, students were able to adapt more fluidly, learning how to design together.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>\u201cStudents felt more comfortable working together,\u201d Oh said. \u201cI thought it would be harder, but it was probably much easier than professionals coming from different disciplines.\u201d<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>For Lenovo, the experience was equally valuable. \u201cIt\u2019s not just about what the students learn from us, we learn a lot from them as well,\u201d Leonard said. \u201cSeeing the students work so well together reinforced the importance of collaborative design. Design is a team sport!\u201d<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>As the College of Design continues to evaluate and refine the studio, one thing is clear: this model represents more than a one-time experiment. It points toward a broader evolution in design education that mirrors the realities of contemporary practice.<br>\u201cI had to learn really quickly how to be a bit of a translator,\u201d Jackson said, reflecting on her own experience entering a multidisciplinary design team. \u201cYou have to understand different design perspectives and languages to find that harmony.\u201d<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->"},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>In a new sponsored studio from Lenovo, students from industrial design and graphic &#038; experience design came together to work as unified, holistic design teams. The studio asks a fundamental question: what happens when hardware and software designers learn to think and build together from the start?<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":14,"featured_media":25638,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"source":"ncstate_wire","ncst_custom_author":"","ncst_show_custom_author":false,"ncst_dynamicHeaderBlockName":"","ncst_dynamicHeaderData":"","ncst_content_audit_freq":"","ncst_content_audit_date":"","ncst_content_audit_display":false,"ncst_backToTopFlag":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[5],"class_list":["post-25637","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized","tag-_from-newswire-collection-271"],"displayCategory":null,"acf":{"ncst_posts_meta_modified_date":null},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/design.ncsu.edu\/graphic-design\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/25637","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/design.ncsu.edu\/graphic-design\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/design.ncsu.edu\/graphic-design\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/design.ncsu.edu\/graphic-design\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/14"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/design.ncsu.edu\/graphic-design\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=25637"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/design.ncsu.edu\/graphic-design\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/25637\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":25649,"href":"https:\/\/design.ncsu.edu\/graphic-design\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/25637\/revisions\/25649"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/design.ncsu.edu\/graphic-design\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/25638"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/design.ncsu.edu\/graphic-design\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=25637"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/design.ncsu.edu\/graphic-design\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=25637"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/design.ncsu.edu\/graphic-design\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=25637"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}