SIGD Faculty Members to Discuss Emerging Technologies on Conference Panel
Assistant Professor Devon Ward, who teaches graphic design in Auburn’s School of Industrial and Graphic Design (SIGD), will be hosting a panel this fall at SECAC 2023, formerly the Southeastern College Art Conference. SECAC 2023 will be held on the campus of Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, Virginia, from October 11-14.
Ward’s event is an affiliate panel with MACAA, the Mid-America College Art Association. Titled “Total Change: Creative Practices in Response to Emerging Media,” Ward and the other panelists will look at how designers are incorporating Artificial Intelligence (AI), Augmented Reality and Biodesign into their existing practices and how these emerging technologies will change the way creative labor is valued. “Because these technologies are so new, everyone on the panel is approaching the discussion with openness and humility. We’re aiming to flesh out some of the nuances about the impact these technologies will have on our work and how we teach,” said Ward. Some of the panelists will provide historic context by looking at the parallels between current developments in AI and the introduction of photography in the early 20th century.
Several of the panelists featured in the event are from SIGD. Associate Professor Jerrod Windham and Master of Industrial Design student Xilin Tang will present their paper “An Approach to Incorporating Generative AI Tools Within Industrial Design Education,” which looks at the role of generative AI in the design process and design education. Associate Professor Courtney Windham will present her paper “Print to Motion: Exploring Augmented Reality in Graphic Design,” which studies the evolution and impact of student projects from her teaching of Kinetic Typography at Auburn over an eight-year period.
Ward will give a talk titled “Living Posters: Teaching Biodesign to Graphic Design Students,” in which he will share his experiences of teaching biodesign to graphic design students this past spring. Biodesign is a rapidly growing field of design that intersects art, design and biotechnology. “The image-making processes in biodesign have the potential to provide deep, critical reflection about our place in society and nature. The medium is so different that it offers new potential for creative exploration,” said Ward.
The theme of SECAC 2023 is “Crossroads,” which encourages attendees to consider how the art world is working to construct a more thoughtful, inclusive and sustainable future. Those attending the conference represent the fields of art, art history, education and design.
See more in:
Faculty Collaboration,
Faculty Work,
Industry Engagement
Related people:
Devon Ward,
Courtney Windham,
Jerrod Windham