Verena Paepcke-Hjeltness

Master of Fine Arts in Industrial Design, The Ohio State University, 2003
Bachelor of Fine Arts (Diploma) in Industrial & Environmental Design, University of Applied Sciences, Potsdam, Germany, 1999

Verena Paepcke-Hjeltness is an Associate Professor of Industrial Design in the Auburn University School of Industrial and Graphic Design. She has held the position of Education Director and Board Member at the Industrial Designers Society of America (IDSA) since 2020 and she serves on the Board of Trustees of the Design Foundation. Paepcke-Hjeltness has worked both in Germany and the U.S. as an industrial designer with a focus on aviation and transportation design.

Previously, Paepcke-Hjeltness has been industrial design faculty at the University of Texas at Austin, Drexel University, Iowa State University, and Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD).

As a Visual Strategist, Paepcke-Hjeltness frequently plans and facilitates retreats and workshops on sketchnoting, design thinking and strategic planning in both academia and industry.

Interest areas in research and practice:
Paepcke-Hjeltness’ research focuses on the diffusion of design thinking and doing practices in design and non-design-oriented disciplines, with an emphasis on exploring visual notetaking as a gateway to learning, retention, and comprehension, as well as sketch and creative confidence.

National leadership positions:
Industrial Designers Society of America, (IDSA)
Education Director & Board Member

Design Foundation
Board of Trustees