Center for Design
The Center for Design is Northeastern’s platform for interdisciplinary design research. It is a space for collaborative research activities and a hub for connecting the actors of the design ecosystem. It aims to share knowledge and practices, shape common tools and methods, and strengthen a unified disciplinary ground.
The complexity of the grand challenges surrounding health, security, mobility, sustainability and democracy demands a long-term shared research effort that crosses disciplinary boundaries. Design as an ‘interdisciplinary and integrative discipline’ – with its capacity to map the complex dynamics of an issue, foresee its evolution, and shape tangible and intangible interfaces, experiences, services and systems – can empower the network between and across disciplines. Design also facilitates the cross-disciplinary discourse itself through innovative communication methods, and as a ‘third discipline’ mediates across humanics.
The Center for Design opens up a new space for these interdisciplinary exchanges; it is where the design research agenda is collectively shaped and innovative solutions are collaboratively conceived and developed through joint research initiatives. Building solid ground for the bridges that CAMD faculty members have already established internally and promoting new collaborations with other areas both within and beyond Northeastern University, the Center for Design gathers the critical mass needed to leverage existing research initiatives, providing them a fertile environment to grow and systematically sustain them.
Year in Review
A look at the Center for Design's achievements over the past year.
Explore the Year in Review
Design Research Week
The Center for Design at the Northeastern University College of Arts, Media and Design hosts an annual Design Research Week — a week of presentations, conversations, studio visits, exhibits, and workshops with colleagues, faculty, and students in design research.
Book a Room
How to reserve space at the Center for Design, space amenities, acceptable reasons for reserving space, and rules for using space at the Center for Design.
Recent News from the CfD
Rekindle ignites player emotions for next-level VR immersion
Northeastern Ph.D. student designs new VR game that tracks player emotions in hopes of fostering empathy for marginalized communities.
July 3, 2026
OASIIS Lab uses VR to make injury recovery less stressful
The OASIIS Lab, a collaboration between Northeastern researchers and Massachusetts General Hospital surgeons, is discovering how extended reality tech can help patients during their recovery journey.
June 22, 2026
Michael Arnold Mages publishes book about Somaesthetic Design
Congratulations Michael Arnold Mages! Michael, Associate Professor and recently appointed Interim Chair of Art+Design, published Somaesthetic Design: The Experiencing Body and the Dynamics of Time
June 9, 2026
The Center for Design at DRS 2026
DRS 2026, the Design Research Society's biannual conference, takes place from June 8-12. Members of the Center for Design contributed to five theme tracks, seven papers and one conversation in the conference's program.
June 4, 2026
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