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REIMAGINING DESIGN EDUCATION FOR THE 21ST CENTURY
- A large public research university in the U.S. engaged Huldunótur to help define a forward-looking vision for a new design program—one grounded in place, shaped by emerging technologies, and aligned with the shifting realities of the profession. With higher education under pressure to modernize quickly, the program needed a clear point of view that could guide curriculum, culture, facilities, and partnerships as a coherent system.
- Led by me—drawing on prior experience helping Berklee College of Music develop the groundbreaking Bachelor of Arts in Music Industry Leadership and Innovation, along with more recent work building an entrepreneurship micro-credential at Bifröst University and developing new MA courses at the Iceland University of the Arts—Huldunótur brought a proven program-building perspective to the engagement.
- Over six months I led a research-driven strategy process combining expert interviews, competitive program analysis, and synthesis of weak cultural signals across design, technology, and industry. The work translated insights into an actionable program framework—articulating a differentiated educational model built around balanced human/AI intelligence, regenerative material thinking, and transdisciplinary collaboration. Outcomes included a proposed curriculum arc, a brand-based concept linking campus and urban innovation spaces, and practical recommendations for recruitment and industry engagement—creating a shared narrative and roadmap to align stakeholders around launch. The degree program will launch in 2027.
File Under: Growth Strategy, Brand Innovation, PEDAGOGY