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.

By: D. Littlejohn

Ed(s): G. Kaplan

Source: NC State University Libraries
Added: June 25, 2022

2020 journal article

Anticipating Gaze-Based HCI Applications with the Tech Receptivity Interval: Eye Tracking as Input

Visible Language, 54(1/2), 99–127.

By: M. Peterson, B. Tober, D. Littlejohn & M. Hill

Source: NC State University Libraries
Added: June 12, 2021

2020 journal article

Anticipating Gaze-based HCI Applications with the Tech Receptivity Interval

Visible Language, 54(1), 32–61.

By: M. Peterson, B. Tober, D. Littlejohn & M. Hill

Source: ORCID
Added: June 18, 2021

2020 speech

Data, Damn Lies and Disruption

Presented at the AIGA Design Future Now! Podcast by Lee-Sean Huang.

By: D. Littlejohn

Event: AIGA Design Future Now! Podcast by Lee-Sean Huang on January 31, 2020

Source: NC State University Libraries
Added: June 12, 2021

2020 conference paper

Designing Educational Engagement with XR

Presented at the South x Southwest Edu (SXSW edu), Austin, TX.

By: D. Littlejohn

Event: South x Southwest Edu (SXSW edu) at Austin, TX on March 9, 2020

Source: NC State University Libraries
Added: June 12, 2021

2020 conference paper

GD303 Augmented Reality Showcase

Presented at the Immersive Learning Research Network (iLRN2020) Virtual Conference—Hindsight, Insight & Foresight in XR & Immersive Learning.

By: D. Littlejohn

Event: Immersive Learning Research Network (iLRN2020) Virtual Conference—Hindsight, Insight & Foresight in XR & Immersive Learning on June 21-25, 2020

Source: NC State University Libraries
Added: June 12, 2021

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.

By: D. Littlejohn

Event: VITaL & SDSU VR Club Conference at San Diego State University, San Diego, CA on July 30, 2019

Source: NC State University Libraries
Added: June 12, 2021

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.

By: D. Littlejohn

Event: After the Bauhaus, Before the Internet: A History of Graphic Design Pedagogy at Yale University, New Haven , CT on May 10-11, 2019

Source: NC State University Libraries
Added: August 3, 2021

2018 report

Accountability for Predicting Outcomes of Design Action

In Designer of 2025. New York: American Institute of Graphic Arts.

By: D. Littlejohn

Source: NC State University Libraries
Added: September 23, 2021

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.

By: D. Littlejohn & M. Peterson

Event: Lilly Conference on Innovative Strategies to Advance Student Learning at Asheville, NC on August 6-8, 2018

Source: NC State University Libraries
Added: August 3, 2021

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.

By: D. Littlejohn

Event: Defining Practices Author's Conference at ArtCenter College of Design, Pasadena, CA on February 10-11, 2017

Source: NC State University Libraries
Added: August 27, 2021

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.

By: D. Littlejohn n

author keywords: graphic design education; graphic design pedagogy; design research; academic culture; professional identity; teaching environment
Sources: Web Of Science, NC State University Libraries
Added: August 6, 2018

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.

By: D. Littlejohn, M. Peterson & B. Tober

Event: AIGA Design Educators Conference: Converge — Disciplinarities and Digital Scholarship at University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA on June 1-3, 2017

Source: NC State University Libraries
Added: August 13, 2021

2017 report

LAS Collaboration Group DO3 Final Report

Raleigh, NC: North Carolina State University.

By: B. Evans, P. Hooper, J. Jameson, S. Joines, D. Littlejohn, K. McConnaghy, H. Rendon

Source: NC State University Libraries
Added: September 14, 2021

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.

By: M. Davis & D. Littlejohn

Ed(s): S. Goldman & Z. Kabayadondo

Sources: ORCID, NC State University Libraries
Added: June 18, 2021

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.

By: D. Littlejohn

Event: Mid-America College Art Association Conference (CAA), Studio Shift, hosted by the University of Cincinnati at Cincinnati, OH

Source: NC State University Libraries
Added: October 16, 2021

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.

By: D. Littlejohn

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

Source: NC State University Libraries
Added: October 16, 2021

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.

By: D. Littlejohn & A. Grossi

Event: Duke Visualization Friday Forum at Duke University, Durham, NC on September 30, 2016

Source: NC State University Libraries
Added: October 16, 2021

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.

By: D. Littlejohn

Event: Data Symposium Initiative Winter Symposium at NC State University, Raleigh, NC on February 5, 2016

Source: NC State University Libraries
Added: October 16, 2021

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.

By: D. Littlejohn

Event: First International Conference on Design and Anticipation Conference at Trento, Italy on November 5-7, 2015

Source: NC State University Libraries
Added: October 23, 2021

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.

By: D. Littlejohn

Event: AIGA Design Educators Conference, New Ventures: Intersections in Design Education at Portland, Oregon on September 11-13, 2014

Source: NC State University Libraries
Added: December 18, 2021

2014 article

Women in Graphic Design 1890-2012

DESIGN ISSUES, Vol. 30, pp. 120–121.

By: D. Littlejohn n

Sources: Web Of Science, NC State University Libraries
Added: August 6, 2018

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.

By: D. Littlejohn

Ed(s): L. Groat & D. Wang

Source: NC State University Libraries
Added: March 5, 2022

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.

By: D. Littlejohn*

Sources: Crossref, NC State University Libraries, ORCID
Added: June 12, 2021

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.

By: D. Littlejohn

Event: AIGA Design Educators Conference at Old Dominion University, Norfolk, Virginia on April 12-14, 2013

Source: NC State University Libraries
Added: December 18, 2021

2013 book

Grounded Theory

In L. Groat & D. Wang (Eds.), John Wiley & Sons (pp. 239–241). John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

By: D. Littlejohn

Ed(s): L. Groat & D. Wang

Source: ORCID
Added: June 18, 2021

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.

By: J. Jicha, D. Bradshaw & D. Littlejohn

Event: Ideas without Walls / In-Between the Spaces at Black Mountain College Museum + Arts Center, Asheville, NC on October 11, 2012

Source: NC State University Libraries
Added: December 18, 2021

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.

By: D. Littlejohn

Event: Doctoral Education in Design Conference—Practice Knowledge Vision at Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong on May 23-25, 2011

Source: NC State University Libraries
Added: March 5, 2022

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

By: D. Littlejohn & M. Davis

Source: NC State University Libraries
Added: March 19, 2022

2010 report

Cultivating a Research Culture

In New Contexts/New Practices: Six Perspectives on Design Education [Website].

By: J. Gregory & D. Littlejohn

Source: NC State University Libraries
Added: March 19, 2022

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.

By: D. Littlejohn

Event: AIGA Design Educators Conference "New Contexts/New Practices" at North Carolina State University, Raleigh on October 8-10, 2010

Source: NC State University Libraries
Added: March 19, 2022

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.

By: D. Littlejohn

Event: Masters of Graphic Design Program Biennial Graduate Symposium at Contemporary Art Museum, Raleigh, NC on January 22-23, 2010

Source: NC State University Libraries
Added: March 19, 2022

2009 journal article

Art & Art Direction: Jens Gehlhaar

Art & Art Direction: Jens Gehlhaar. Eye: the International Review of Graphic Design, 19(73).

By: D. Littlejohn & J. Gehlhaar

Source: NC State University Libraries
Added: June 17, 2022

2009 journal article

Golden Age?

Eye: the International Review of Graphic Design, 18(71).

By: D. Littlejohn, S. Adams, N. Bell, P. Biľak, P. Carlos, C. Dixon, N. Dotin, W. Hall ...

Source: NC State University Libraries
Added: June 17, 2022

2009 speech

TWO (in Raleigh)

Presented at the Graphic Design Program, Otis College of Art & Design, Los Angeles, CA.

By: D. Littlejohn

Event: Graphic Design Program, Otis College of Art & Design at Los Angeles, CA

Source: NC State University Libraries
Added: June 17, 2022

2009 speech

What is Culture?

Presented at the GD502 MGD Studio, NC State University, Raleigh, NC.

By: D. Littlejohn

Event: GD502 MGD Studio at NC State University, Raleigh, NC

Source: NC State University Libraries
Added: June 17, 2022

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.

By: D. Littlejohn

Source: NC State University Libraries
Added: June 25, 2022

2008 journal article

I Have Nothing to Declare But My Networking Skills

Eye, 70(winter), 18.

By: D. Littlejohn

Source: NC State University Libraries
Added: June 25, 2022

2008 journal article

Lust and Likability

Eye, 67(Spring).

By: D. Littlejohn

Source: NC State University Libraries
Added: June 25, 2022

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.

By: D. Littlejohn

Event: AIGA Design Educators Conference — Social Studies: Educating Designers in a Connected World at Baltimore, MD on October 17-19, 2008

Source: NC State University Libraries
Added: June 25, 2022

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.

By: D. Littlejohn

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

Source: NC State University Libraries
Added: June 17, 2022

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.

By: M. Davis, J. Gray & D. Littlejohn

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

Source: NC State University Libraries
Added: June 17, 2022

2007 journal article

Practice and Process: Eric Olson

Eye, 62(spring).

By: D. Littlejohn

Source: NC State University Libraries
Added: June 25, 2022

2007 journal article

Yin and Yang before Chalk and Talk

Eye, 64(summer).

By: D. Littlejohn

Source: NC State University Libraries
Added: June 25, 2022

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.

By: D. Littlejohn

Event: Seven Pines Design Summit II 3-day workshop at Frederic, WI on August 10-12, 2006

Source: NC State University Libraries
Added: June 25, 2022

2006 speech

Emerging Design Practices

Littlejohn, D. (2006, February). Presented at the University of Minnesota College of Art & Design, Graphic Design Program, Duluth, MN.

By: D. Littlejohn

Event: University of Minnesota College of Art & Design, Graphic Design Program at Duluth, MN on February 18, 2006

Source: NC State University Libraries
Added: June 25, 2022

2006 chapter

Gazetteers

In J. Abrams & P. Hall (Eds.), Else/Where: Mapping — New Cartographies of Networks and Territories. Minneapolis, MN: University of Minnesota Press.

By: D. Littlejohn

Ed(s): J. Abrams & P. Hall

Source: NC State University Libraries
Added: June 25, 2022

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.

By: D. Littlejohn

Event: Senior Graphic Design Studio, University of Minnesota College of Human Ecology, at Minneapolis, MN on March 25, 2006

Source: NC State University Libraries
Added: June 25, 2022

2006 speech

Two in Raleigh

Littlejohn, D. (2006, February). Presented at the Knoxville Art Museum Design Lab, Knoxville, TN.

By: D. Littlejohn

Event: Knoxville Art Museum Design Lab at Knoxville, TN on February 10, 2006

Source: NC State University Libraries
Added: June 25, 2022

2005 speech

After Graduation

Littlejohn, D. (2005, May). Presented at the AIGA St. Louis Design Conference, Webster University, St. Louis, MO.

By: D. Littlejohn

Event: AIGA St. Louis Design Conference at Webster University, St. Louis, MO on May 5, 2005

Source: NC State University Libraries
Added: June 25, 2022

2004 magazine article

Twin Peek

Littlejohn, D. (2004, February). [(Feb)]. How Magazine.

By: D. Littlejohn

Source: NC State University Libraries
Added: June 25, 2022

2004 speech

Two in Raleigh

Presented at the Graphic Design Program, California Institute of the Arts, Valencia, CA.

By: D. Littlejohn

Event: Graphic Design Program, California Institute of the Arts at Valencia, CA

Source: NC State University Libraries
Added: June 25, 2022

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.

By: D. Littlejohn

Event: TypeCon Annual Design Conference at Minneapolis, MN on July 12, 2003

Source: NC State University Libraries
Added: July 1, 2022

2003 book

Metro Letters: A Typeface for the Twin Cities

In Universit of Minnesota Press. Minneapolis, MN: University of Minnesota Press.

By: D. Littlejohn

Source: ORCID
Added: June 18, 2021

2003 book

Metro Letters: A Typeface for the Twin Cities

Minneapolis, MN: University of Minnesota Press.

Deborah Littlejohn

Ed(s): D. Littlejohn

Source: NC State University Libraries
Added: June 25, 2022

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.

By: D. Littlejohn

Event: RISD Graphic Design Program lecture & 2-day student workshop, Rhode Island School of Design at Providence, RI on September 12-14, 2001

Source: NC State University Libraries
Added: June 25, 2022

2001 speech

Midtown Crossings Knowledge Map

Littlejohn, D. (2001, August). Presented at the Seven Pines Design Summit I, Frederic, WI.

By: D. Littlejohn

Event: Seven Pines Design Summit I at Frederic, WI on August 22-24, 2001

Source: NC State University Libraries
Added: June 25, 2022

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.

By: D. Littlejohn

Event: two-day workshop with 2D Design Masters students at Bloomfield Hills, MI on November 10-12, 1997

Source: NC State University Libraries
Added: June 25, 2022

Employment

Updated: September 17th, 2019 20:26

2013 - present

North Carolina State University Raleigh, NC, US
Associate Professor College of Design

Education

Updated: September 17th, 2019 20:29

North Carolina State University Raleigh, NC, US
PhD Design

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