The Design Institute site is under re-construction.

Welcome to our new on-line home: http://di.design.umn.edu/

Welcome to the Design Institute, the University of Minnesota's think-tank on design futures, based at the College of Design.

The Design Institute operates at the intersections between the various fields of design theory and practice, makes fresh links with non-design disciplines, and scans the horizon to understand how 'design' is being redefined in response to social and technological changes. Our research focuses on two main areas: knowledge mapping and innovations in design education.

News

Great Idea! Exchange!

March 27, 2008, 5PM-8PM at the Bean Scene 1

Sponsored by Juxtaposition Arts, in collaboration with Avenues for Homeless Youth, Homewood Studios, Kwanzaa Church, the Northside Arts Collective and the College of Design.

A message from the Great Idea! Exchange organizers!

New May term Learning Abroad course announced!
European Travels in Typography:  Developed as an extension of the highly successful Travels in Typography class offered by the Design Institute, instructor and printing historian, Bill Moran of Blinc Publishing will lead  a tour of some of the finest typographic treasures the European continent has to offer. Each stop on our trip will provide the opportunity to research, set type and print in Madrid, Mainz and Venice.  In addition we'll examine the art, architecture and politics that fostered the growth of printing in the Renaissance.

See course details here.

DESIGN CAMP 2008: click here for information.

ELSE/WHERE:MAPPING wins award:

We're proud to announce that our second book, ELSE/WHERE: MAPPING, published in March 2006, has just been awarded a Design Distinction in the 2007 I.D. Magazine Annual Design Review, the 53rd year of this prestigious survey of the best in contemporary design, published in the July-August issue.