Deborah Littlejohn is a tenured Associate Professor in the Department of Graphic Design & Industrial Design at the College of Design, North Carolina State University. Her research investigates design and technology’s role in transforming the social understanding of science through visualization and participatory co-production methodologies. Towards this end, her scholarly activity involves surfacing the assumptions and biases that design and other fields bring to interdisciplinary, collaborative processes and which ultimately inform the way domain experts conduct, learn from, and make decisions based on research. Deborah has published and presented widely at national and international venues: in peer-reviewed journals such as Art, Design & Communication in Higher Education, Design Issues, Design & Culture, and Visible Language; in scholarly volumes for Wiley & Sons, Routledge, MIT Press, and University of Minnesota Press; and at numerous conferences, panels, and workshops, including speaking invitations at Cranbrook, CalArts, Duke University, Rhode Island School of Design, and Yale University; the AIGA annual Design Educators Conferences, the Lily Education Conference, the Doctoral Education in Design Conference, and the International Conference on Anticipation & Design. Deborah is the Editor-in-Chief for the open source publication effort organized by the international change initiative, FutureofDesignEducation.org. She also serves on the editorial board of Dialectic, the AIGA’s scholarly peer-reviewed journal for the design field. Deborah has taught extensively across the undergraduate and graduate design curricula, including sophomore, junior, senior, and masters-level studios as well as graduate-level research seminars. Her research, teaching, and curricular innovations are recognized through several honors, including the NCSU Gertrude Cox Award for Innovative Excellence in Teaching with Technology, the International Design Incubation Communication Design Teachers Award, multiple course innovation grants from NCSU Distance Education Learning through Technology Applications (DELTA), and from the NCSU Thank-a-Teacher Program. In 2021, Deborah received the prestigious NCSU University Faculty Scholars Award. Prior to joining NC State, Deborah was a Fellow at the University of Minnesota Design Institute, working on a range of DI initiatives, including: the Twin Cities Design Celebration, a series of city-wide events and special commissions from the local, national, and international design community, funded by a $1m grant from Target Corporation; the publication Metro Letters: A Typeface for the Twin Cities; and Midtown Crossings, a participatory design charrette that brought together teams of artists, architects, and local community members to create new design proof-of-concepts for urban infrastructure and amenities in Minneapolis-St. Paul.
2022 chapter
Suspended Between Discipline & Profession: A History of Persistent Immaturity and Instability in the Graphic Design Field
Suspended Between Discipline & Profession: A History of Persistent Immaturity and Instability in the Graphic Design Field. In G. Kaplan (Ed.), After the Bauhaus, Before the Internet: A History of Graphic Design Pedagogy. Cambridge, MA: no place press/MIT Press.
Ed(s): G. Kaplan
2020 journal article
Anticipating Gaze-Based HCI Applications with the Tech Receptivity Interval: Eye Tracking as Input
Visible Language, 54(1/2), 99–127.
2020 journal article
Anticipating Gaze-based HCI Applications with the Tech Receptivity Interval
Visible Language, 54(1), 32–61.
2020 speech
Data, Damn Lies and Disruption
Presented at the AIGA Design Future Now! Podcast by Lee-Sean Huang.
Event: AIGA Design Future Now! Podcast by Lee-Sean Huang on January 31, 2020
2020 conference paper
Designing Educational Engagement with XR
Presented at the South x Southwest Edu (SXSW edu), Austin, TX.
Event: South x Southwest Edu (SXSW edu) at Austin, TX on March 9, 2020
2020 conference paper
GD303 Augmented Reality Showcase
Presented at the Immersive Learning Research Network (iLRN2020) Virtual Conference—Hindsight, Insight & Foresight in XR & Immersive Learning.
Event: Immersive Learning Research Network (iLRN2020) Virtual Conference—Hindsight, Insight & Foresight in XR & Immersive Learning on June 21-25, 2020
2019 conference paper
A Collaborative, Student-centered Approach to Immersive Simulation Development
Presented at the VITaL & SDSU VR Club Conference, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA.
Event: VITaL & SDSU VR Club Conference at San Diego State University, San Diego, CA on July 30, 2019
2019 conference paper
Between Discipline and Profession: Ambiguity in Design’s Academic Identity
Presented at the After the Bauhaus, Before the Internet: A History of Graphic Design Pedagogy, Yale University, New Haven , CT.
Event: After the Bauhaus, Before the Internet: A History of Graphic Design Pedagogy at Yale University, New Haven , CT on May 10-11, 2019
2018 report
Accountability for Predicting Outcomes of Design Action
In Designer of 2025. New York: American Institute of Graphic Arts.
2018 conference paper
Frameworks to Structure Imagination of Technological Futures: Design-Based Learning
Littlejohn, D., & Peterson, M. (2018, August 6). Presented at the Lilly Conference on Innovative Strategies to Advance Student Learning, Asheville, NC.
Event: Lilly Conference on Innovative Strategies to Advance Student Learning at Asheville, NC on August 6-8, 2018
2017 conference paper
Design Research, Ethics + The Dilemmas of Engagement
Littlejohn, D. (2017, February 10). Presented at the Defining Practices Author's Conference, ArtCenter College of Design, Pasadena, CA.
Event: Defining Practices Author's Conference at ArtCenter College of Design, Pasadena, CA on February 10-11, 2017
2017 journal article
Disciplining the graphic design discipline: The role of external engagement, mediating meaning, and transparency as catalysts for change
ART DESIGN & COMMUNICATION IN HIGHER EDUCATION, 16(1), 33–51.
2017 conference paper
Frameworks for Speculative Design
Littlejohn, D., Peterson, M., & Tober, B. (2017, June 1). Presented at the AIGA Design Educators Conference: Converge — Disciplinarities and Digital Scholarship, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA.
Event: AIGA Design Educators Conference: Converge — Disciplinarities and Digital Scholarship at University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA on June 1-3, 2017
2017 report
LAS Collaboration Group DO3 Final Report
Raleigh, NC: North Carolina State University.
2017 chapter
The Culture of Practice: Design-Based Teaching and Learning
In S. Goldman & Z. Kabayadondo (Eds.), Taking Design Thinking to School: How the Technology of Design Can Transform Teachers, Learners, and Classrooms (1st ed., pp. 20–36). New York, NY: Routledge.
Ed(s): S. Goldman & Z. Kabayadondo
2016 conference paper
Collaborations in Design History at North Carolina State University’s College of Design
Littlejohn, D. (2016, October 26). Presented at the Mid-America College Art Association Conference (CAA), Studio Shift, hosted by the University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH.
Event: Mid-America College Art Association Conference (CAA), Studio Shift, hosted by the University of Cincinnati at Cincinnati, OH
2016 conference paper
Graphic Design’s Growing Pains: From Trade School to Academic Discipline
Littlejohn, D. (2016, June 15). Keynote presented at the AIGA Design Educator's Conference, Nuts + Bolts: Tightening Up Classroom Fundamentals, Reinforcing Careers, Constructing the Future of the Discipline, Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, Ohio.
Event: AIGA Design Educator's Conference, Nuts + Bolts: Tightening Up Classroom Fundamentals, Reinforcing Careers, Constructing the Future of the Discipline at Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, Ohio on June 15-16, 2016
2016 conference paper
Lies, Damn Lies & Statistics : What deceptive data stories teach us about information visualization
Littlejohn, D., & Grossi, A. D. (2016, September 30). Lies, Damn Lies & Statistics : What deceptive data stories teach us about information visualization. Presented at the Duke Visualization Friday Forum, Duke University, Durham, NC.
Event: Duke Visualization Friday Forum at Duke University, Durham, NC on September 30, 2016
2016 conference paper
Seeing Science through Visualization
Littlejohn, D. (2016, February 5). Presented at the Data Symposium Initiative Winter Symposium, NC State University, Raleigh, NC.
Event: Data Symposium Initiative Winter Symposium at NC State University, Raleigh, NC on February 5, 2016
2015 conference paper
Theory of Anticipation Leading to Perceptions of Change in the Conditions of Practice in Graduate Design Education
Littlejohn, D. (2015, November 5). Presented at the First International Conference on Design and Anticipation Conference, Trento, Italy.
Event: First International Conference on Design and Anticipation Conference at Trento, Italy on November 5-7, 2015
2014 conference paper
Intersections in Missions
Littlejohn, D. (2014, September 11). Presented at the AIGA Design Educators Conference, New Ventures: Intersections in Design Education, Portland, Oregon.
Event: AIGA Design Educators Conference, New Ventures: Intersections in Design Education at Portland, Oregon on September 11-13, 2014
2014 article
Women in Graphic Design 1890-2012
DESIGN ISSUES, Vol. 30, pp. 120–121.
2013 chapter
A Grounded Theory Approach to Understanding the Culture, Identity, and Teaching Environment of Graduate Design Programs
In L. Groat & D. Wang (Eds.), Architectural Research Methods (Second Edition, pp. 239–241). Hoboken, New Jersey: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Ed(s): L. Groat & D. Wang
2013 journal article
Becoming a Discipline: Problems in the Emergence of Design Criticism as a Field of Inquiry
Design and Culture, 5(1), 29–32.
2013 conference paper
Blunt: Explicit and Graphic Design Criticism Now
Littlejohn, D. (2013, April 12). Presented at the AIGA Design Educators Conference, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, Virginia.
Event: AIGA Design Educators Conference at Old Dominion University, Norfolk, Virginia on April 12-14, 2013
2013 book
Grounded Theory
In L. Groat & D. Wang (Eds.), John Wiley & Sons (pp. 239–241). John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Ed(s): L. Groat & D. Wang
2012 speech
Panel Discussion
Jicha, J., Bradshaw, D., & Littlejohn, D. (2012, October). Presented at the Ideas without Walls / In-Between the Spaces, Black Mountain College Museum + Arts Center, Asheville, NC.
Event: Ideas without Walls / In-Between the Spaces at Black Mountain College Museum + Arts Center, Asheville, NC on October 11, 2012
2011 conference paper
Anticipation and Action in Graduate Design Programs: Building a Theory of Relationships among Academic Culture, Professional Identity, and the Teaching Environment
Littlejohn, D. (2011, May 23). Presented at the Doctoral Education in Design Conference—Practice Knowledge Vision, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong.
Event: Doctoral Education in Design Conference—Practice Knowledge Vision at Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong on May 23-25, 2011
2011 report
Report for the 2010 AIGA Research Grant
In AIGA Design Educators Community [Report]. http://educators.aiga.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/Littlejohn_Davis_AIGAResReport.pdf
2010 report
Cultivating a Research Culture
In New Contexts/New Practices: Six Perspectives on Design Education [Website].
2010 conference paper
Design Research: Building a Culture from Scratch
Littlejohn, D. (2010, October 8). Presented at the AIGA Design Educators Conference "New Contexts/New Practices", North Carolina State University, Raleigh.
Event: AIGA Design Educators Conference "New Contexts/New Practices" at North Carolina State University, Raleigh on October 8-10, 2010
2010 conference paper
Design, Community, and the Rhetoric of Authenticity within Design Practices, and for Community Experience. Case Studies
Littlejohn, D. (2010, January 22). Presented at the Masters of Graphic Design Program Biennial Graduate Symposium, Contemporary Art Museum, Raleigh, NC.
Event: Masters of Graphic Design Program Biennial Graduate Symposium at Contemporary Art Museum, Raleigh, NC on January 22-23, 2010
2009 journal article
Art & Art Direction: Jens Gehlhaar
Art & Art Direction: Jens Gehlhaar. Eye: the International Review of Graphic Design, 19(73).
2009 journal article
Golden Age?
Eye: the International Review of Graphic Design, 18(71).
2009 speech
TWO (in Raleigh)
Presented at the Graphic Design Program, Otis College of Art & Design, Los Angeles, CA.
Event: Graphic Design Program, Otis College of Art & Design at Los Angeles, CA
2009 speech
What is Culture?
Presented at the GD502 MGD Studio, NC State University, Raleigh, NC.
Event: GD502 MGD Studio at NC State University, Raleigh, NC
2008 journal article
Debunking the Myth: How Online Technologies Challenge the ‘Cult of the Design Star’
Debunking the Myth: How Online Technologies Challenge the ‘Cult of the Design Star.’ Collective Intelligence, Collaborative Design... The Student Publication of the College of Design, 33.
2008 journal article
I Have Nothing to Declare But My Networking Skills
Eye, 70(winter), 18.
2008 journal article
Lust and Likability
Eye, 67(Spring).
2008 conference paper
Some Ruinous Habits & Rhetorical Questions
Littlejohn, D. (2008, October 17). Some Ruinous Habits & Rhetorical Questions. Presented at the AIGA Design Educators Conference — Social Studies: Educating Designers in a Connected World, Baltimore, MD.
Event: AIGA Design Educators Conference — Social Studies: Educating Designers in a Connected World at Baltimore, MD on October 17-19, 2008
2008 conference paper
What is Design Research?
Littlejohn, D. (2008, October 8). Presented at the University of Houston School of Art Graphic Design Graduate Workshop, University of Houston School of Art, Houston, TX.
Event: University of Houston School of Art Graphic Design Graduate Workshop at University of Houston School of Art, Houston, TX on October 8-9, 2008
2008 conference paper
What is the Researchable Question?
Davis, M., Gray, J., & Littlejohn, D. (2008, April 4). Presented at the AIGA Design Educators Conference: Massaging Media 2: Graphic Design Education in the Age of Dynamic Media, Boston, MA.
Event: AIGA Design Educators Conference: Massaging Media 2: Graphic Design Education in the Age of Dynamic Media at Boston, MA on April 4-6, 2008
2007 journal article
Practice and Process: Eric Olson
Eye, 62(spring).
2007 journal article
Yin and Yang before Chalk and Talk
Eye, 64(summer).
2006 speech
Design Education Applications: Technology and the Design of Studio Teaching & Learning Environments
Littlejohn, D. (2006, August). Design Education Applications: Technology and the Design of Studio Teaching & Learning Environments. Presented at the Seven Pines Design Summit II 3-day workshop, Frederic, WI.
Event: Seven Pines Design Summit II 3-day workshop at Frederic, WI on August 10-12, 2006
2006 speech
Emerging Design Practices
Littlejohn, D. (2006, February). Presented at the University of Minnesota College of Art & Design, Graphic Design Program, Duluth, MN.
Event: University of Minnesota College of Art & Design, Graphic Design Program at Duluth, MN on February 18, 2006
2006 chapter
Gazetteers
In J. Abrams & P. Hall (Eds.), Else/Where: Mapping — New Cartographies of Networks and Territories. Minneapolis, MN: University of Minnesota Press.
Ed(s): J. Abrams & P. Hall
2006 speech
Twin Cities Knowledge Maps
Littlejohn, D. (2006, March). Presented at the Senior Graphic Design Studio, University of Minnesota College of Human Ecology, Minneapolis, MN.
Event: Senior Graphic Design Studio, University of Minnesota College of Human Ecology, at Minneapolis, MN on March 25, 2006
2006 speech
Two in Raleigh
Littlejohn, D. (2006, February). Presented at the Knoxville Art Museum Design Lab, Knoxville, TN.
Event: Knoxville Art Museum Design Lab at Knoxville, TN on February 10, 2006
2005 speech
After Graduation
Littlejohn, D. (2005, May). Presented at the AIGA St. Louis Design Conference, Webster University, St. Louis, MO.
Event: AIGA St. Louis Design Conference at Webster University, St. Louis, MO on May 5, 2005
2004 magazine article
Twin Peek
Littlejohn, D. (2004, February). [(Feb)]. How Magazine.
2004 speech
Two in Raleigh
Presented at the Graphic Design Program, California Institute of the Arts, Valencia, CA.
Event: Graphic Design Program, California Institute of the Arts at Valencia, CA
2003 conference paper
Can a Typeface Represent the Uniqueness of a City?
Littlejohn, D. (2003, July 12). Presented at the TypeCon Annual Design Conference, Minneapolis, MN.
Event: TypeCon Annual Design Conference at Minneapolis, MN on July 12, 2003
2003 book
Metro Letters: A Typeface for the Twin Cities
In Universit of Minnesota Press. Minneapolis, MN: University of Minnesota Press.
2001 speech
Knowledge Mapping
Littlejohn, D. (2001, September). Presented at the RISD Graphic Design Program lecture & 2-day student workshop, Rhode Island School of Design, Providence, RI.
Event: RISD Graphic Design Program lecture & 2-day student workshop, Rhode Island School of Design at Providence, RI on September 12-14, 2001
2001 speech
Midtown Crossings Knowledge Map
Littlejohn, D. (2001, August). Presented at the Seven Pines Design Summit I, Frederic, WI.
Event: Seven Pines Design Summit I at Frederic, WI on August 22-24, 2001
1997 speech
Frameworks for Interactive Media Design
Littlejohn, D. (1997, November). Presented at the two-day workshop with 2D Design Masters students, Bloomfield Hills, MI.
Event: two-day workshop with 2D Design Masters students at Bloomfield Hills, MI on November 10-12, 1997
Updated: September 17th, 2019 20:26
2013 - present
Updated: September 17th, 2019 20:29
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