A new generation of designers is emerging committed to applying their creative talents to address the wicked social and environmental challenges of our time. But what are the professional pathways for designers pursuing careers in design for social innovation? In April 2016, the Center for Social Design at Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA) will host LEAP/2: Value of Design Symposium to further evolve strategies for advancing professional pathways in design for social innovation.

Please join us for a series of free and open public plenaries on April 10 and 11 with leading practitioners, educators and thought leaders as we explore the current challenges, trends and future opportunities design for social innovation.

A full list of events can be found here, and speakers here. Details, dates and times for the free, public events are below.

PUBLIC PLENARY 1

Date: Sunday, April 10th
Time: 7-9pm
Location: MICA Falvey Hall, 1301 W Mt Royal Ave, Baltimore MD 21217
Free and open to the public
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LEAP Dialogues: Career Pathways for Design in Social Innovation
Co-Editors of “LEAP Dialogues: Career Pathways for Design in Social Innovation,” will share highlights and insights from this newly-released book and reflections from the first LEAP Symposium.

Provocateurs:
Mariana Amatullo, Vice President & Co-Founder, Designmatters, ArtCenter College of Design
Liz Danzico, Creative Director, NPR & Founding Chairperson, MFA Interaction Design, School of Visual Arts
Jennifer May, Director, Designmatters Department, ArtCenter College of Design
Andrew Shea, Principal, MANY

Current Challenges & Opportunities for Professional Pathways in Design for Social Innovation
Leading educators, practitioners and thought leaders will provide their perspectives on the current challenges, opportunities and emergent trends in professional pathways in design for social innovation.

Moderators:
Eva Fury, Robert W. Deutsch Social Design Fellow (2015-16), Center for Social Design, MICA
Briony Hynson, Associate Director, Neighborhood Design Center & Robert W. Deutsch Social Design Fellow (2012-13)

Provocateurs:
George Aye, Co-Founder & Principal, Greater Good Studio
Sara Cantor Aye, Co-Founder & Principal, Greater Good Studio
Sarah Brooks, Insights & Design, Veterans Experience, US Department of Veterans Affairs
Christine Gaspar, Executive Director, Center for Urban Pedagogy (CUP)
Kippy Joseph, Associate Director, Innovation, Rockefeller Foundation

PUBLIC PLENARY 2
Date: Monday, April 11th
Time: 7-9pm
Location: MICA Falvey Hall, 1301 W Mt Royal Ave, Baltimore MD 21217
Free and open to the public

Envisioning the Future for Professional Pathways in Design for Social Innovation
Leading educators, practitioners and thought leaders explore and imagine new directions and horizons, providing an aspirational vision for professional pathways in design for social innovation.

Moderators:
Silvia Mata-Marin, Robert W. Deutsch Social Design Fellow (2015-16), Center for Social Design, MICA
Becky Slogeris, Associate & Faculty, Center for Social Design, MICA & Robert W. Deutsch Social Design Fellow (2012-13)

Provocateurs:
Alexis Bonnell, Chief, Applied Innovation & Acceleration, USAID Global Development Lab, USAID
Gaby Brink, Founder & Chief Designer, Tomorrow Partners
Justin W. Cook, Senior Lead for Sustainable Development, Finnish Innovation Fund, Sitra
Liz Ogbu, Principal, Studio O
Rafael Sergio Smith, Senior Designer, IDEO.org​

ADDITIONAL PUBLIC FORUM
Date: Tuesday, April 12th
Time: 1-3:45pm
Location: MICA Falvey Hall, 1301 W Mt Royal Ave, Baltimore MD 21217
Free and open to the public

Forum: Designing Civil Rights
MICA’s graphic design community will gather for a forum on civil rights. De Andrea Nichols, designer, activist, and social entrepreneur from Ferguson, Missouri, will talk about her work using design as a tool for social change. Ellen Lupton and Brockett Horne will discuss the historic role of graphic design in the fight for equal rights, social justice, and visibility among people united by race, gender, sexuality, and ability. A student panel will present creative projects that engage identity and social change on campus and in our community.

1:00 Welcome: Ellen Lupton and Brockett Horne
1:10 Keynote: De Andrea Nichols
1:30 Designing Civil Rights: Ellen Lupton
1:50 Designing Social Change: Student Panel
2:30 Break: Refreshments in atrium
2:45 Designing Gender and Sexuality: Brockett Horne
3:15 Discussion
3:45 Close

Supporters
The Value of Design Symposium is hosted by the Center for Social Design at MICA with support from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), the Robert W. Deutsch Foundation, the Trust for Mutual Understanding, MICA, and numerous other in-kind partners.