Design Redefined

Design Redefined is series of events seeking to challenge our perception of design as a process of enhancing aesthetics, usability, or marketability and moving towards a deeper understanding of it as a powerful tool for change.

Appropriate for high school, undergraduate, and graduate students, as well as design professionals, each session will feature a panel discussion featuring thought leaders, followed by a hands-on exploration of key design principles, light refreshments, and networking. Co-hosted by MIT MAD and Innovators for Purpose.

Free with Museum admission. Free for teens.

Thursday February 27

4–6pm

Transforming Learning: Speculative Climate Design

This event aims to explore how the process of imagining and designing experiences of alternative futures ("experiential futures") can deepen participants' appreciation of complex problems and increase their sense of agency. Using climate change as the focal theme, a panel discussion will examine ways of supporting constructive change and action. Futurist Stuart Candy joins us virtually to lead a playful, hands-on experiential futures/speculative design exercise challenging and enabling participants to imagine - and start to bring to life - possible worlds to come.

Free with museum admission. Free for teens.

A person with short, dark, twisted hair and a well-groomed goatee smiles at the camera. They are wearing a black turtleneck and a black denim jacket. They have a small hoop earring in their left ear. The background is a neutral gray, and the lighting is soft and even, highlighting their features.

James Brice

Oceanographer, Physicist, Multidisciplinary Designer; 2023 MAD Design Fellow

A person with short, dark brown hair styled to the side and a full beard looks directly at the camera with a neutral expression. They are wearing round black-framed glasses, a navy blue blazer, and a patterned button-up shirt with blue and maroon tones. The background is softly blurred, showing an indoor setting with warm lighting.

Stuart Candy

Experiential Futurist, Artist, Educator

A person with long, dark wavy hair smiles gently at the camera. They have warm brown eyes, medium-toned skin, and are wearing small gold hoop earrings and a beige top. The background features green foliage, with soft natural lighting highlighting their face.

Anaya Raikar

High School Student, MIT Museum Teen Programming Council, Massachusetts Youth Climate Council

A woman with long blonde hair and a gentle smile poses in front of a large window with blurred autumn foliage in the background. She is wearing a navy blue sweater over a striped collared shirt. Sunlight casts a warm glow on her face and hair.

Susu Jones

Senior Sustainability Project Manager, MIT Office of Sustainability

Thursday May 1

4–6pm

Empowering Society: Designing Empathetic AI Solutions

Our next Design Redefined explores how empathy-driven AI can positively impact society. Through a panel discussion and hands-on activities, participants will discover how designing AI with compassion can support mental well-being, enhance social connections, and address real-world challenges. By focusing on the human side of technology, this event aims to show how AI solutions, designed with empathy at their core, can empower communities and transform lives.

Free with museum admission. Free for teens.

Past Sessions

Thursday November 7

4–6pm

Catalyzing Innovation: Designing with Life

This event brings together designers of all levels — from teens to industry professionals — to explore the ways in which biotechnology and design using living organisms are driving innovation in medical, architectural, and fabrication industries, ultimately shaping the future of material design.

A woman with long brown hair smiles warmly while standing outdoors in front of a brick building with large arched windows. She is wearing a black blazer over a green top, and the setting appears professional and inviting.

Nicole Black

PhD, Program Director, MedTech Innovator

A black-and-white portrait of a man with short, wavy hair smiling gently at the camera. He is wearing a striped shirt under a casual jacket, with a background that appears slightly blurred, giving a soft focus to the image. The overall feel is friendly and approachable.

Daniel Tish

DDes, Lecturer in Architecture, Harvard Graduate School of Design

Nathan Kirokwa

Pioneer Charter School, BioBuilder Program Alum

Sayo Eweje

Moderator, MIT-Harvard MD-PhD Student

Lauren (Ren) Ramlan

Design Exercise Facilitator, Graduate Student in Biological Engineering and MIT Media Lab

Thursday May 2

4–6pm

Shaping Shared Spaces

In this session, we’ll delve into the heart of designing shared spaces while exploring the unique dynamics at play when infusing vibrancy and community spirit into public spaces. Learn how design can unite communities and create spaces where everyone feels they belong, including teens who are often overlooked. Join us in a conversation that aims not just to question but to act.

This program is presented as part of Boston Design Week.

Michelle Moon

Panelist, Principal and Founder, Civic Space Collaborative

Hermela Shimelis

Panelist, Cambridge Rindge and Latin, iFp Emerging Innovator

Ayesha M. Wilson

Moderator, Cambridge City Councilor

Aubrey Tyler

Panelist, Associate, HargreavesJones

Taylor Leonard

Panelist, Program Manager, Community Partnerships, Charles River Conservancy

Thursday March 7

4–6pm

Equity, Ethics, Engagement and AI

Join us as we reimagine the AI landscape through intentional design. In this session, we will examine how the principles of equity, ethics, and engagement can transform AI from a technology where inclusion is not just an aspiration, but the primary catalyst for innovation. This program will be moderated by Innovators for Purpose, a BIPOC-led non-profit youth design and innovation studio.

A maker activity and networking opportunity will follow the panel discussion.

Appropriate for teens and adults.