SIGD Welcomes New Faculty Member Verena Paepcke-Hjeltness

Please give a warm welcome to Associate Professor Verena Paepcke-Hjeltness! Paepcke-Hjeltness is joining the faculty of the School of Industrial and Graphic Design (SIGD) this fall, where she will be teaching in the Industrial Design program. She holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Applied Sciences in Potsdam, Germany, and an M.F.A. in Industrial Design from Ohio State.

Prior to joining the faculty at Auburn, Paepcke-Hjeltness taught for eight years at Iowa State University. She has also taught at her alma mater, the University of Applied Sciences in Potsdam, as well as the University of Texas at Austin, Drexel University, Savannah College of Art and Design and Ohio State. She currently serves as Education Director on the Board of Directors for the Industrial Designers Society of America. Her research focuses on the diffusion of design thinking and practices in design and non-design-oriented disciplines. She explores visual notetaking as a gateway to learning, retention and comprehension as well as sketch and creative confidence.

Paepcke-Hjeltness will be teaching third-year studio and third-year Design Research Methods. “Over the years I made friends with a lot of educators, and some of my favorite people are Auburn alumni,” she said. “These are incredibly dedicated and passionate designers and educators. I am delighted to be here working with these amazing and formidable educators who have crafted this excellent program.”

“We are very excited to welcome Verena to our faculty,” stated SIGD School Head Wei Wang. “She has a wealth of knowledge and years of teaching experience to share with our industrial design students.”