Design Education + Economics (Hosted by Elise Hodson)

This session took place on April 22. 2021.

Session Recording

This session looks at the potential for economics to be incorporated in design education. Based on our experiences as designers, researchers, educators and students, we will discuss questions such as: How is economics currently reflected in design education, if at all? What subjects and skills related to economics are important for design students to learn? What would the economics-savvy design graduate of the future look like? What super powers would they have? Participants are welcome to contribute new questions and help us answer them.

We are based in the Department of Design at Aalto University, Finland. Elise Hodson is a post-doctoral researcher in design economies and formerly chair of a design school in Canada. Delphine Rumo recently defended her thesis in the Creative Sustainability master’s program and is interested in degrowth and healthy circular economies. André Helgestad is a student in the Creative Sustainability master’s program in design. He has a background in economics and is a founding member of Rethinking Economics in Finland.