Save the Date!
Thursday, March 12, 2026
Details to be announced
The Showcase
DAAPX celebrates alumni accomplishments through a curated series of diverse projects and experiences across all backgrounds, majors, and degree paths. This virtual program features a collection of dynamic 10-minute presentations that highlight innovative work and explore the boundaries of experimental design.
The Topic: Experiential Design
Experiential Design is a place where ideas become moments—where creativity turns into something you can feel, move through and remember. It’s also where DAAP alumni shine, crafting the moments, spaces and stories that stay with us long after they’re experienced. This year’s showcase explores how the DAAP Alumni network can transform environments and interactions into meaningful experiences, offering fresh perspectives on how design shapes the way we feel, move, and connect.
Request for Proposals
The DAAP Alumni Council invites alumni to submit dynamic, TED-style presentations that illuminate the impact of their creative work on the human experience. Alumni from every major, degree path, background, and career stage are encouraged to apply. Whether your project involves public art, product design, environmental graphics, community development—or something entirely unexpected—we want to hear your story.
A few guidelines to consider when submitting a proposal:
- Projects of any scale, discipline, or subject area can be submitted for consideration. We welcome work ranging from intimate, experimental studies to large, multi-phase initiatives.
- Only proposals for virtual presentations will be accepted. All selected talks will be delivered in a fully online format.
- Presentations should be concise and well-structured, conveying a complete narrative within 15 minutes. Think focused, engaging, and thoughtfully paced.
- Presentations may include multiple speakers and must remain within the 15-minute timeframe.
- Proposals will be accepted through Monday, January 20, 2026.
- The DAAP Alumni Council will review all submissions and notify selected presenters in January.
By showcasing the breadth of work created by DAAP alumni, DAAPX highlights the power of an art and design degree and the creativity that defines our alumni network. If you have a story to share, we hope you’ll apply.
DAAPX Archive
Explore past DAAPX presentations. Each drop-down menu highlights our alumni presenters and the titles of their talks. Click the button below to watch full recordings and experience their work firsthand.
Lisa Bambach ’12, BSDE
School of Design |
Ecotonal Office: A Shift in Workplace Wellbeing
Jessica Lawless ’10 BSDE
School of Design |
Designing a Redesign: Using Brand and Story to Engage Bus Riders
Erin Smith Glenn, ’09 MFA
School of Art |
HAIRitage | A Cultural Journey & Experience
Nvard Manasyan ’00 MCP
School of Planning |
Shaping Activism Through Urban Spaces
Kashish Kalra, ’23 BSDES
School of Design |
Designing for Human Adaptation: Systems that Shape Behavior & Action
Ben Niebauer ’01 BARC
School of Architecture & Interior Design |
Oh, the Places You'll Design!
Replace this text component with your accordion's content.
Valerie Allen, ’75 BFA and Armin Mersmann | Art Ladders: The Creative Climb Podcast – Empowering Artists Through Conversation
Hal Apple, ’82 BSDE | WOMEN. SERIOUSLY?
Rob Paul Baum, ’71 BSARC | Arts & Crafts Continuum: Emerging Creative Land Use Project
Don Jacobs, ’67 BSARC | Case Study: Winery Tasting Room
Megan Mays, ’08 BSDE | Agile Revolution: Embracing ‘Product Gems’ for Simplicity and Success
Alex Pesta, ’02 BARC | Building a Culture of Experience
Scott Shall, ’98 BSARC | Building at the Edge: Reconstructing Design Practice within Improvised Settlements
Matthew Spoleti, ’23 BSDE | Empathizing with Apathy
Joe Walsh, ’15 BSDE | Drawing Leads the Way
Marie Morgan, A&S '21
Program Director, Alumni Engagement, College-Conservatory of Music & College of Design, Architecture, Art, and Planning
513-558-4428