Elon by Design

02/26/2026

How might we design for social change? 📣

Join us tomorrow at Forging Fridays Session #2 with Lesley Ann Noel, PhD, Dean of Design at OCAD University, to find out!

In this session, entitled “Designing the Worlds that We Need Right Now! Our collective Responsibility to Create Social Change,” Lesley-Ann Noel will share key ideas and frameworks from the book, "Design Social Change: Take Action, Work Toward Equity, and Challenge the Status Quo." Attendees will learn and discuss practical strategies to integrate social impact into their creative practice and leadership.

When: Friday, February 27th @ 14:00 PM ET

With no prep needed, come as you are to this open-access virtual event! 🌐

Register your interest here for the virtual invite! 📅 https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSce1uqifVt_rQZxguvvBqsxyZXVCOu5JFVas0VcKYwsITcuwA/viewform

01/28/2026

Our first Forging Fridays session is this week! Will we see you there?

Entitled “Slippages to Portals: A Laboratory for Practicing and Implementing Relationally,” this session with Michal Osterweil will delve into the possibilities and limitations of applying the framework and principles of relationally introduced in "Relationality: An Emergent Politics of Life Beyond the Human." Attendees will explore how to implement the five principles of relational politics (contingency, emergence, radical uncertainty, non-normativity, and heart-based epistemol­ogy) and delve into the concept of slippages to recognize how “slippages” can become portals.

With no prep needed, come as you are to this open-access virtual event! 🌐

Register your interest here for the virtual invite: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSce1uqifVt_rQZxguvvBqsxyZXVCOu5JFVas0VcKYwsITcuwA/viewform

01/20/2026

“Forging Fridays” is arriving soon! Have you marked your calendar yet?

In partnership with Systemic Design Association and Future of Design in Higher Education (FDHE), “Forging Fridays” is a once-a-month opportunity that allows participants to meet and learn directly from acclaimed relational designers, including Michal Osterweil, Lesley Ann Noel, PhD, Haley Fitzpatrick, Rafe Steinhauer, and Wayne Li. Join us to explore and test emerging relational design strategies in community, strategize how they might enhance your practice, and get your questions answered!

When? 🕒 Final Friday of each month at 14:00 EST
Where?📍 Meetings are virtual! Register your interest to receive the meeting link.
Do I need to prepare in advance? 🖊️ Nope! Come as you are!

Register your interest here, and we will keep you in the loop! 📅 https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSce1uqifVt_rQZxguvvBqsxyZXVCOu5JFVas0VcKYwsITcuwA/viewform

Learn more at the Design Forge website: https://www.elon.edu/u/elon-by-design/conference/

12/10/2025

The Elon University Center for Design Thinking is excited to announce the launch of “Forging Fridays,” a NEW virtual workshop series in 2026!

In partnership with the Systemic Design Association and Future of Design in Higher Education, “Forging Fridays” is a once-a-month opportunity that allows participants to meet and learn directly from acclaimed relational designers, including Michal Osterweil, Lesley Ann Noel, PhD, Haley Fitzpatrick, Rafe Steinhauer, and Wayne Li.

Beginning this January, join us (free-of-charge) on the last Friday of each month at 14:00 EST to:
🧩 Explore and test emerging relational design strategies in community
💡 Strategize how they might enhance your practice
🧠 Get your questions answered!

Simply register your interest, and we will keep you in the loop! 📅

Learn more at the Design Forge website: https://lnkd.in/eeVYe54K

Any questions? Reach out to [email protected]!

03/21/2025

Registration closes today! Over a dozen virtual sessions @ Design Forge on relational design. Register now and secure your spot https://lnkd.in/eE4EC5nX

🎤 Keynote Speakers Include:
- Eugene Korsunskiy
- Arturo Escobar
- Michal Osterweil
- Kriti Sharma
- Savannah Keith Gress
- Victor Udoewa
- Diya Abdo

📅 March 27–28, 2025 | Hybrid Sessions will be live-streamed & recorded | 9:00 AM - 17:00 PM EST

🔗 View the Full Schedule & Learn More: https://lnkd.in/eeVYe54K

03/11/2025

https://www.linkedin.com/posts/center-for-design-thinking_explore-the-keynote-sessions-at-design-forge-ugcPost-7304894795099881473-rgxl?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAACxEMXAB38YOEH9Kwnqviwa4k8STRem9rvc

Explore the Keynote Sessions at Design Forge 2025! ✨ Last week, we introduced our incredible keynote speakers—now, it's time to dive into their sessions! From thought-provoking discussions to transformative insights, these sessions will explore the power of relational design in shaping the f...

03/10/2025

The countdown begins! 📣 Design Forge 2025 is only two weeks away!

Today, we’re highlighting our amazing keynote speakers: Eugene Korsunskiy, Michal Osterweil, Arturo Escobar, Kriti Sharma, Savannah Keith Gress, Victor Udoewa, & Diya Abdo.

Get to know these inspiring thinkers and doers—swipe through to learn more!💡

Join us virtually for Design Forge 2025 to hear from these speakers and more!

📅 March 27–28, 2025 | Hybrid Sessions will be live-streamed & recorded | 9:00 AM - 17:00 PM EST

🔗 View the Full Schedule & Learn More: https://www.elon.edu/u/elon-by-design/conference/

💻 Register now and secure your spot! https://www.elon.edu/onlinereg/conferences/DesignThinking/DesignForge/regattendonline.aspx

03/08/2025

https://www.elon.edu/u/news/2025/03/07/eugene-korsunskiy-to-present-little-book-of-joy-at-the-design-forge-2025/

Design Forge keynote speaker and editor of the Little Book of Joy set to present “Together by Design: Joy, Community, & Forging Better Worlds.”

02/07/2025

🚀 Join us at Design Forge 2025! A transformative design-thinking conference focused on relational design. Our lineup of renowned presenters from across different industries and disciplines will share their insights, experiences, and practical strategies.

🎤 Keynote Speakers Include:
Eugene Korsunskiy
Michal Osterweil
Arturo Escobar
Kriti Sharma
Savannah Keith Gress
Victor Udoewa
Diya Abdo

📅 March 27–28, 2025 | Hybrid Sessions will be live-streamed & recorded | 9:00 AM - 17:00 PM EST

🔗 View the Full Schedule & Learn More: https://www.elon.edu/u/elon-by-design/conference/

Register now and secure your spot at Design Forge 2025! https://www.elon.edu/onlinereg/conferences/DesignThinking/DesignForge/regattendonline.aspx

02/05/2025

💡Looking to explore the connection between relationality and design thinking?

Introducing the Relationality & Design Book Club—our virtual series designed to explore the transformative ideas presented in “An Emergent Politics of Life Beyond the Human.” These discussions will lead up to the authors’ closing keynote session on March 28th at Design Forge 2025.

Haven’t read the book yet? No worries! All are welcome.

Join us TODAY for Session Two!

📅 Session Schedule (13:00-14:00 EST):
Session Two – Part 1: Remember (February 5)
Session Three – Part 2: Choose (February 26)
Session Four – Part 3: Choose (March 12)

💻 Register now for this free opportunity: https://www.elon.edu/u/elon-by-design/conference/relationality-design-book-club/

01/23/2025

Don’t miss out! Design Forge 2025 is focused on relational design and features over a dozen keynote speakers, story and strategy sessions, and interactive workshops!

Register now to reserve your spot: https://lnkd.in/eB-SrJ9T
Andcearn more here: https://lnkd.in/ekVny7Nh

Sessions take place between 9:00-17:00 EST on March 27-28 from Elon University’s Center for Design Thinking. Sessions will also be archived and shared with all registrants.

12/08/2024