There are a number of ways you can participate in NCBDS40.
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Paper or Project Presentation
Paper:
15 Minute Presentation + 4000-5000 word paper
Project/Short Paper:
5 Minute Presentation + 1000-2000 word paper
We welcome papers from all disciplines discussing theories, methods, and pedagogical practices related to the theme Tool(ing) for the beginning design student.
Papers delve into more comprehensive investigations, emphasizing complete versions of assignments or developed research. A paper abstract is at most 500 words, excluding references, and may include up to five images.
Projects introduce first versions, parts of assignments, or initial research. A project abstract is at most 350 words, excluding references, and may include a maximum of ten images.
Submit an abstract by October 25, 2024.
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Come as
an Attendee
Full Conference Access
Attend full conference events happening throughout the week including the Young Academics Workshop and K-12 Beginning Design Education Workshop on Thursday, paper presentations and panel discussions on Friday and Saturday, keynote speaker on Friday evening, and closing reception and dinner on Saturday. This is a great conference to get to know others working in the field of beginning design.
Early Academics Retreat only (Thursday)
Educational Access Retreat only (Thursday)
Conference Themes and Subthemes
Evolution of Tools
How have tools shaped design education and practice over time? What traditional tools remain relevant and essential? How have analog, digital, and hybrid tools evolved to meet current needs independently and collectively? How do we introduce digital tools and processes, knowing they will transform in the immediate future? How do designers work with emerging “tool-less” generators of content such as GP Chat and Midjourney?
Tools of Disruption
What tools do our students need to be resilient disruptors of the status quo? How have tools of the past, present, and future disrupted (for good and bad) design education and practice? What research methods and critical thinking tools are necessary to evolve practice and equip design students to tackle wicked challenges? What emerging tools are poised to take us in fundamentally new directions?
Tools of the Trade
What are the tools driving current and future practice, and what is their place in beginning design education? What tools of making are necessary to lead contemporary material-based practices vs. experience-focused practices? What “soft”, rapid prototyping tools are important for building facile design ideation skills? What “hard”, production tools are necessary to refine ideas and hone craft? What are the emerging teaching tools and methods transforming beginning design education from k-12 through graduate level curriculums?