Carla Diana

Carla Diana Speaking Topics

• Designing for the 4th Dimension: Social Intelligence in Everyday Objects

  This talk explores how designers can create more meaningful interactions through products that behave in socially intelligent ways. Carla Diana shares case studies from her work in robotics, consumer electronics, and industrial design to show how objects can communicate through expressive behaviors such as light, sound, and motion. These elements enable subtle, nuanced interactions that foster emotional connection. Drawing from her book, "My Robot Gets Me: How Social Design Can Make New Products More Human," she also offers a behind-the-scenes look at work developed by students in the Interaction Design MFA at Cranbrook, where projects often blur the lines between physical and digital experience. The session invites attendees to think beyond screen-based interfaces toward product ecosystems that behave with empathy and responsiveness.

  Takeaways:

  • Social behaviors can enhance emotional resonance in product design.
  • Subtle, expressive cues often communicate more effectively than traditional interfaces.
  • Design frameworks from social robotics can inspire more intuitive smart objects.

• Designing Everyday Robots with Light, Sound, and Motion

  As robotic products become everyday companions, industrial designers must consider how these objects behave and interact with users in real time. In this session, Carla Diana shares strategies from designing personality-rich interactions through dynamic expressions. Sharing case studies from her work and her book, "My Robot Gets Me: How Social Design Can Make New Products More Human," she presents techniques for rapid prototyping using motion, light, and sound to explore how even simple cues can create complex emotional responses. Through real-world case studies and interactive design methodologies, she demonstrates how expressive behavior transforms utilitarian devices into engaging experiences. This talk offers a toolkit for designers who want to shape not just the look of a product, but how it moves, reacts, and builds relationships.

  Takeaways:

  • Designing behaviors is as important as designing form in robotic products.
  • Prototyping dynamic expression allows for faster iteration and better outcomes.
  • Expressive robotics require new skills at the intersection of design, technology, and narrative.

• Designing for Change: Building Creative Agility in Teams and Practice

  In a fast-evolving design landscape, how can teams remain flexible, innovative, and resilient? Carla Diana shares insights from her work at top design consultancies (Smart Design, frog), her studio practice, and her leadership of Cranbrook’s Interaction Design MFA. Drawing from these experiences, she presents a model that blends physical and digital exploration, encourages peer-driven inquiry, and fosters mentorship as a strategy for long-term creative growth. This talk offers actionable approaches for design leaders looking to evolve their teams’ practices—nurturing adaptability, cross-disciplinary thinking, and continuous learning in the face of ongoing change.

• Using the Power of Design to Spark Civic Engagement: MobilityTown as a Case Study

  In a world where emerging technologies are rapidly reshaping our urban landscapes, too often public transit is seen as an afterthought. MO(bility)TOWN, a Detroit-based speculative design project led by Carla Diana and collaborator Motomichi Nakamura, challenges this view. Using interactive projection mapping, augmented reality, and immersive storytelling, the project envisions a future where shared, sustainable transportation is central to urban life.

  More than just a mobility initiative, this talk offers a blueprint for using design to spark civic engagement and catalyze systemic change. Attendees will discover how immersive, narrative-driven approaches can bridge the gap between technological innovation and everyday community needs—and how such strategies can be applied to a range of industries and public challenges.

  Takeaways:

  • Design is a powerful tool for galvanizing civic imagination and public engagement.
  • Speculative projects can connect technology with grassroots support.
  • Immersive experiences are key to reshaping attitudes toward sustainable, shared systems.

• Learning to Learn with AI: A Pedagogy for Technological Agility

  With the rapid rise of generative AI and constantly evolving creative tools, how do we prepare students for technologies that don't yet exist? At Cranbrook Academy of Art, Carla Diana has developed a model where students are encouraged to use AI tools as collaborators in learning. Boot camps in Arduino, P5.js, and TouchDesigner are paired with open-ended studio exploration, allowing students to integrate new technologies into personal projects. AI agents serve as on-demand assistants, guiding students through technical challenges and encouraging them to find their own solutions. This talk outlines a pedagogical approach that uses AI to empower learners—not only to adopt tools, but to build the confidence and adaptability to learn any tool they need.

  Takeaways:

  • AI can be a partner in fostering design agility and lifelong learning.
  • Open-ended projects teach students how to teach themselves.
  • Design education should emphasize learning strategies over static technical mastery.