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.
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 The future of design education, the dismantling of outdated silos, and the necessity of decolonization.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.
Rethinking Design Education
Dr. Noel didn’t just question the status quo—she poked, prodded, and, quite frankly, suggested we set fire to it (metaphorically, of course). She argued that traditional design disciplines—graphic, industrial, advertising—are artificial divides that no longer reflect the realities of the profession. In an industry where adaptability is currency, why force students into rigid boxes? Her vision? “I would love to see us in five years where all the students are leaving with a BDes, and then they are sampling their experiences across the different programs that we have.” In a world where UX design is thriving and yet few institutions formally teach it, this shift feels less like a radical idea and more like an overdue necessity.
Decolonizing Design: Less Theory, More Action
Decolonization is a buzzword—one that, too often, gets drowned in academic rhetoric. Dr. Noel, originally from Trinidad and Tobago, is determined to change that by making decolonization tangible. Faculty at OCADU are already weaving multilingual and culturally diverse perspectives into the curriculum. One professor challenges students to interpret poetry in their native language through visual storytelling; another integrates multicultural typography into coursework. But as Dr. Noel bluntly asked, “What does it mean to decolonize design in practical terms to a person who's designing furniture or to a person who's in advertising?” Her goal is to move beyond good intentions and turn these efforts into a living, breathing part of design education.
Preparing Designers for the Unknown
One of the most pressing questions of the night: how do you prepare students for jobs that don’t even exist yet? Dr. Noel’s answer: teach process, not outputs. The tools of today will be obsolete tomorrow, but designers who understand how to think, pivot, and adapt will thrive in any landscape. “If we teach design about the process, those people will probably be more flexible and be able to bounce into any situation even as the technology changes, even as the worldview, you know, as everything changes, those people who understand process, I think, can bounce and change.” In other words, design education should future-proof its students, not just teach them how to use the latest software.
Design as Agency: Stop Waiting for Permission
A wave of anxiety rippled through the audience when the job market came up—because let’s face it, landing a design job isn’t always a given. But Dr. Noel challenged the audience to rethink the entire premise of “getting hired.” She recalled a moment from her time in Brazil when a professor told students, “You have to create the jobs, and you have to create the opportunities.” It’s a significant mindset shift, one echoed by Michael Dila, who referenced Dr. Noel’s words from a previous podcast: “Designers don’t need to be given a seat at the table. We can design our own tables.” Translation? If the industry doesn’t have room for you, build something so compelling they can’t ignore it.
Relational Design: The Power of Who You Know
Talent alone won’t cut it. Dr. Noel emphasized the importance of relational design—the idea that strong networks between students, faculty, alumni, and industry professionals are just as crucial as technical skills. Her vision for OCADU includes Design Charrettes (collaborative workshops), a new OCAD Design Festival, and cross-disciplinary projects to build those connections. “All the work that I know is about relationships, so call it relational design.”
Designing for Social Impact: Beyond Products, Into Systems
A particularly compelling moment came when an audience member asked: How can design influence more than just physical products? Dr. Noel’s response? Design is about shaping experiences, communities, and even social structures. Toronto, with its multicultural diversity, is an ideal testing ground for these kinds of challenges. “There are some design problems that Toronto is the best place to explore.” Whether it’s mental health initiatives or reimagining public spaces, designers have a responsibility to engage with the pressing issues of our time.
Closing Thoughts: No More Playing Small
If there was one takeaway from the night, it was this: Designers must stop waiting for permission to make an impact. Dr. Noel’s vision for OCADU is about empowering students to think broadly, work collaboratively, and challenge outdated industry norms. It’s about taking control of their careers—not just through technical mastery, but by building relationships, embracing adaptability, and, most importantly, questioning everything. Because at the end of the day, the future of design isn’t in predefined disciplines, traditional degrees, or following the industry’s lead—it’s in the hands of those bold enough to rethink the entire system.
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For more on decolonizing design: How Does Empathy in Design Play a Role in Decolonization
Book features: Design Social Change by Lesley-Ann Noel and Designing Design by Kenya Hara
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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