Exploring Artificial Intelligence in Design Education and Research

October 17, 2022

Fall 2022 - In Progress | Principal Investigator
Appalachian State University, Department of Applied Design

Since July 2022, I have been exploring the integration of AI tools, particularly text-to-image generators (e.g., Midjourney, DALL-E, and Stable Diffusion), into design education and research. I have introduced these tools to some of my students, who have been able to use them to strengthen ideation in their design process. Also, I have explored these tools with my colleagues at the App DigiFab learning community, creating a collective digital installation showcased at the Transformations Exhibition at the Turchin Center for the Visual Arts. This project intends to continue exploring AI's role in my teaching and research in design.

Metacognition in the Wild: An Exploration of Metacognition in Design Education

December 31, 2021

Fall 2018 - Spring 2021 | Co-Investigator
Appalachian State University, Department of Applied Design
Universidad Jorge Tadeo Lozano, School of Product Design
Co-PI: Juanita Gonzalez-Tobon, PhD, Universidad Javeriana, Colombia

Metacognition is recognized as a fundamental ability to promote deep learning, creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills. Given the importance that these abilities have in design education, this project aims to study how these are developed and how metacognitive strategies can be taught in design educational settings.

CirCob: Bio-Based Materials for the Circular Economy

March 31, 2020

Spring 2019 - Spring 2020 | Co-Investigator
Universidad Jorge Tadeo Lozano, School of Product Design

Research project intended to develop composite materials and consumer products using the waste from corn crops to substitute and reduce the use of plastic materials. The project is a joint effort between our research group at Universidad Jorge Tadeo Lozano and local corn producers in the southwest of Colombia.

Education, Mitigation, and Adaptation to Climate Change in Tropical Ecosystems

April 13, 2019

Summer 2018 - Spring 2020 | Co-Investigator
Universidad Jorge Tadeo Lozano, School of Product Design + Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences

Tropical ecosystems are considered the most vulnerable to climate change. To address some of the complex challenges posed by this situation, we are developing a transdisciplinary approach to support collaboration among academic and non-academic actors using design-based methods.

“Fique” plantation. Image: Juan Manuel España

Integral Use of "Fique" (Furcraea spp) and Other Natural Fibers

April 5, 2019

Spring 2019 - Spring 2020 | Co-Investigator
Universidad Jorge Tadeo Lozano, School of Product Design

Research project focused on developing new products and materials using "fique" (Furcraea spp) and other natural fibers obtained from coconut, corn, and sisal. The goal of the project is to create applications with high added value that can contribute to the growth of local rural economies in Colombia.

Production process of Amifux®, a biological control system. Image: Maria Paula Moreno.

Improvement of the Production Process of Biological Control Systems Encarfox® and Amifux®

April 5, 2019

Spring 2019 - Spring 2020 | Co-Investigator
Universidad Jorge Tadeo Lozano, Biosystems Research Center

Encarfox® and Amifux® are biological control systems designed to reduce the populations of certain pests that affect greenhouse crops. This research project is intended to enhance the production processes of these systems to reduce their cost, increase their effectiveness, and improve the work conditions of their producers.

Assessing the Impact of the LAS Experience: A Longitudinal Study

November 6, 2017

Spring 2017 - Fall 2017 | Research Associate
North Carolina State University, College of Design + Laboratory for Analytic Sciences

The Laboratory for Analytic Sciences (LAS) brings together members of the government, industry, and academia to develop new tools and methods that help the intelligence community in making sense of large volumes of data. This project was intended to study the impact of this collaborative experience on government LAS members.

Doctoral Dissertation: Empathy Expression and Development in the Context of Industrial Design Education

December 19, 2016

Fall 2012 - Fall 2016 | Doctoral Student
North Carolina State University, PhD in Design Program

Empathy is recognized as an essential ability in social life and in the design practice. My doctoral dissertation explored empathy in the context of industrial design education, from an empirical approach, to identify how students express empathy for users and stakeholders and how design educators promote empathy in the design studio.

Master's Thesis: Implementation of a Design-Based Learning Model in an After-School Context

June 15, 2012

Fall 2009 - Spring 2012 | Master Student
Universidad de los Andes, Master in Education Program

For my master's thesis, I planned, implemented, documented, and evaluated an after-school program based on the Design Thinking process. The program was aimed at promoting creative problem-solving skills in 4th grade children whose design and learning process was studied from a qualitative approach.

Generative Design for Branding: Exploring the Uses of Computation in Graphic Design Applications

November 18, 2011

Spring 2010 | Principal Investigator
Universidad de los Andes, School of Architecture and Design

Considering the impact that programming has had on how designers conceive and produce form, this project explored the use of generative design methods in graphic design and, specifically, to create branding systems that morph and adapt to diverse applications by following a computer algorithm.