DAAP School of Design

*DEADLINE* Dear design researchers and practitioners whose work engages with and expands #SouthAsian design, we invite you to consider submitting your work to the first South Asian design symposium, *Angan* https://lnkd.in/gnhVBYDT Abstract Submission: All abstracts will undergo a double-blind peer review process. Submissions for Angan Symposium 2026 includes short and long papers, posters (visual essays) from educators, practitioners, researchers and students. The symposium will host graduate student forum presentations, and portfolio reviews. All accepted abstracts and selected papers will be published in the Angan Online Journal. Please submit abstracts via the Angan Google Form by May 30th, and note that registration opens on June 1st, 2026. https://lnkd.in/gf4YUsgc *South Asia includes, but is not limited to, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and diasporic communities worldwide .......... We are honored to share the following organizations and institutions as supporters of SADEA Angan Symposium— South Asia: @designbharat_foundation , @indidesign_global , @designindia_official @iitdelhi North America: Herron School of Art + Design, Indiana University, USA Faculty of Design OCAD University, Canada Ullman School of Design, College of DAAP, University of Cincinnati, USA Wonsook Kim School of Art, Illinois State University, USA

And as this season of recognition continues, we are proud to recognize our 2026 Outstanding Graduating Students. Selected by their faculty, these students exemplify academic excellence, professional dedication, and meaningful contributions to the life of the University. Congratulations to each of you! School of Design: Leah Floyd Laura Troutman Zoe Hong Nicholas Namyar Visit the link on stories to learn more about each of these students!

The runway as a living canvas! On May 1, DAAPFASH26 unfolded as a living composition, nearly 200 looks across 42 collections, each one carrying a distinct voice, a process, a vision. Behind the scenes, an extraordinary collective brought the show to life. Dozens of quick changes, executed with precision, created the unique rhythm of the runway. This show is a testament to the dedication, talent, and care of our students and the team who make it happen year after year. A special recognition to Laurie Wilson, celebrating her 30th year leading this iconic show and shaping generations of designers. The night closed with a runway celebration, as graduating students came together for a grand finale!

This is amazing to see people interacting and playing with the @daap_design KIOSK! Tag us with your prints please!!!

Celebrating excellence at DAAPworks 2026! 🩷💜 Our Opening Remarks & Awards Ceremony recognized the creativity, rigor, and impact of this year’s graduating students. Dean Stephanie Pilat’s remarks opened the event in her first year leading DAAP. We were proud to celebrate the Director’s Choice Awards, recognizing outstanding projects across the college. School directors took the stage to honor students from their programs. The 1819 Innovation Hub Award recognized five students, highlighting innovation and impact. For another year, @1819innovationhub 1819 strengthens its partnership with DAAP and represents UC in recognizing our students. @segd_cincinnati also presented two award categories, recognizing work across disciplines. The Horticulture Industry Excellence Award connected Cincinnati horticultural organizations to recognize an outstanding student capstone work. Through the newly created Creative Impact Awards, we were honored to partner with industry leaders who joined us in selecting and recognizing exceptional work: @charleyharperart , @gbbnarchitects , @artworkscincy , and @cincinnatiopera We’re grateful to all partners who dedicated their time to reviewing student projects. Thank you to our students and faculty for the work, dedication, and ideas that made this moment so meaningful. More details on all award recipients will be shared soon on our website!

We made it, folks—KIOSK is officially a hit! Design is making—and making is research. When you love the work and have the freedom to play—magic happens! Have you printed your gratitude card from the @daap_design KIOSK? Find it in SOD hallway. SOD colleagues: Brooke Brandewei, D.J. Trischler, John Dixon, Matthew Furber, and I had way too much fun cooking this up for DAAPworks 2026 within last 3 weeks—and it shows. Sharing some BTS chaos + joy with you all. It’s been incredibly satisfying to see how this simple idea turned into a space for gratitude, joy, and connection—print an A5 card and share it with friends, professors, colleagues, staff, or keep it for yourself. You can choose from four words: Kudos, Thanks, Bravo, and Proud—then interact with the KIOSK and play to print. ‘click’ and play on the KIOSK screen. Be creative with taking the photos. Walk away with an A5 card that actually means something. Go try it, share it, save it—and tag us @daap_design so we can see what you’re feeling! We love you all. Congratulations!

Innovation meets impact 🥄 Meet Tremorfix – Adaptive Tremor-Cancelling Smart Spoon, a project developed by Vijay Viknesh and his team during the @revolution.uc Hackathon at the @1819innovationhub . Built in just 24 hours, the project highlights the power of interdisciplinary collaboration: • Hardware: Hamza Kapadia, Krishna Maharajwala • Software & Data: Rohit Ramesh • Design & UX/UI: @vijay_m_vv From concept to working prototype, Tremorix demonstrates how DAAP and @uc_ceas are leveraging design, technology, and empathy to create solutions that support independence and improve quality of life!

Reimagining the everyday 🧺✨ Industrial @daap_design student Libby Brooke earned a spot in the Top 10 nationally (across 25+ universities) in the @proctergamble x Global Career Accelerator Early Talent Competition. Her project, “A New Kind of Laundry Basket,” brought a fresh perspective to a familiar object and showcased the power of thoughtful, user-centered design while reimagining an everyday object to better serve real needs!

We were honored to unveil the portrait of former Dean Tim Jachna, continuing a meaningful DAAP tradition of recognizing the leaders whose vision has shaped the college across generations. ❤️🖤 Dean Jachna’s leadership was defined by a commitment to collaboration and a deep appreciation for the uniqueness of each discipline, understanding that the most impactful ideas emerge at their intersections. This portrait represents more than a moment in time; it reflects a legacy of leadership rooted in humility, connection, and a belief in the power of a creative community. Thank you, Dean Jachna, for your service and for the lasting impact you’ve made on DAAP!

“A small sign. A big shift—by design.” — @mnr.daapthings After two years of research and collaboration, DAAP and @cincinnatimetro have unveiled a new bus stop signage system rooted in accessibility and clarity. Built on the idea that clear hierarchy in design leads to better accessibility, this system uses typography and wayfinding to help riders move with confidence, feel safer, and stay connected. What started as one stop will scale to 3,700 across Hamilton County over the next two years. This work reflects a truly interdisciplinary effort across design, planning, engineering, and public policy being brought to life by DAAP faculty and students. 👏 DAAP contributors: @micahhere – Bus stop signage system @nanhhoangx – Park and ride signage system With faculty collaboration from @Dadopala & Vikas Mehta and in partnership with SORTA’s Khaled Shammout and Cincinnati Metro’s Steve Anderson! Special thanks to the @cityofcincygov Department of Transportation & Engineering, @hamiltoncountyohio , @commissioneraliciareece , Andrew Aiello, Blake Ethridge, and Congressman @repgreglandsman . This is what design looks like when it moves beyond the classroom and into the systems that shape everyday life! 🚏🚍

🚨 3 WEEKS 🚨 DAAPFASH26 - The Show is almost here and it’s time to secure your seat! Don’t miss the creativity, the craftsmanship, and the moment it all comes together on the runway. 🎟 Get your tickets now: LINK IN BIO!

🏆 Congratulations to the 2026 DAAP Faculty and Staff Award Winners! Each year, these awards recognize faculty and staff who go above and beyond to inspire students, lead with purpose, and advance excellence in teaching, research, and service. 👏 Please join us in celebrating this year’s honorees: ♦️ Outstanding Research/Creative Activities: Gregory Marinic ♦️ Outstanding Teaching: Vittoria Daiello ♦️ Outstanding Service & Leadership: Rebecca Williamson ♦️ Outstanding Junior Faculty: @hayden_m_shelby ♦️ Outstanding Adjunct Faculty: @kalpanee__ ♦️ Professor of the Year: Melanie Swick ♦️ Staff Excellence: Dan Dugan ♦️ Staff Student Impact: @elliedoerman ♦️ Staff Community Impact: @mamaw5775 ♦️ Staff Newcomer: Michael Holland ♦️ Dean's Award: @colinklimesh