Going Beyond the Classroom

While enrolled in the University of Texas at Austin’s graduate Information Sciences program, Denise wanted to supplement class work with more intellectual autonomy, especially relating to accessibility. AC4D’s Remote Studio program gave Denise the support she needed to create a real-world project from the ground up. Throughout the 12-weeks, she aimed to become fluent in the design research process and brought her study of accessibility beyond the confines of the classroom and into the community. Denise was particularly interested in exploring how accessibility could address human needs for connection and beauty through art.

Exploring Accessibility in the Art Community

During her time in Remote Studio, Denise found two aspects to be exceptionally useful and valuable. The weekly meetings provided her with both necessary support and freedom to thrive. Having a mentor who deeply understood her project and recognized her strengths and weaknesses was liberating. Denise felt safe enough to take risks, fail, and experience success in her project.

Design Research as a Transformative Experience

The most important lesson Denise learned from her remote studio project was that design research can be applied as a lens to view any project. Methods learned transformed her reflection process and provided a framework to engage with complex problems. Denise witnessed firsthand how this approach changed and strengthened her work.

In terms of advice, Denise strongly encourages future students or anyone considering the Remote Studio course at AC4D to take the leap and join. If there's a project that's been tugging at your consciousness, Remote Studio is an excellent opportunity to engage with it. She also offers words of caution: deep engagement with research may have unexpected effects. Rather than simply satisfying your curiosity, it might ignite further interests and lead you to explore ways to engage with your project in surprising and sustainable ways. Be ready to take your project further long after Remote Studio is over.

Denise’s experience at the AC4D Remote Studio in Design and Research deepened her understanding of design research, allowed her to bring her study of accessibility into the broader art community, and provided invaluable support and mentorship. She highly recommends the program to anyone looking to approach challenging problems with an open and innovative mindset.

Take a human-centered approach to inspiring action. AC4D’s Remote Studio in Design Research & Strategy provides coaching, education, and support to individual learners and teams wanting to grow design research knowledge, gain new skills, or add a compelling research project to their portfolio.