Communicating with Gen Z: Graphic, Verbal, Written, and Interpersonal
October 3-4, 2019
Waco, Texas
Sponsored by Baylor University Office of the Vice Provost for Research | On-site conference contact: Michelle Brown of Baylor University Interior Design
Conference Location
| Day 1 | Baylor Club, Suite 509 at McLane Stadium 1001 South M.L.K. Jr. Blvd Waco, Texas 76704 |
| Parking | Parking is at the stadium and is free of charge |
| Day 2 | Paul Foster Business School, Room 250 1621 South 3rd Street Waco, Texas 76704 |
| Parking | Parking details pending |
Conference attendees will drive from their hotel to the conference location.
Considered to be the most diverse generation in U.S. history, 68 million Americans born between the mid 1990s – late 2000s make up Generation Z. Today’s students grew up with ubiquitous mobile devices and associated digital applications. How do we, as interior design educators get to know and accept them in order to authentically connect in meaningful ways? How can we partner with them as they develop creative processes that will influence future designs of built, virtual and hybrid spaces?
In order to connect with Gen Z students, we must be open to their understanding of identity, their value systems and their engagement with digital media as it relates to their identity and connection to their peers. This conference invites exploration of these issues as a means to foster conversation, understanding, and empathy in order to build meaningful relationships with our students.
Tentative conference schedule
Thursday, October 3
| 8:00 am – 8:30 am | Registration & Check-in at Baylor University/Pastries and Coffee |
| 8:30 am – 8:40 am | Opening Welcome and Orientation to the Conference |
| 8:40 am – 9:00 am | The Building Database & Analytics System (BuDAS): Computer Science and Interior Design Take on ‘Big Data’ Elise King, Baylor University We explore the challenges of analyzing archival floor plans and provide an overview of the Building Database & Analytics System (BuDAS), developed to address these problems. |
| 9:00 am – 9:20 am | Understanding Generation Z’s Learning Preference: an exploration of Extended Reality based learning tool for the experience age Dr. Zahid Islam, University of North Texas The advancement of technologies as cloud, big data, internet of things, machine learning and its associated infrastructural supports have prompted a shift from industrial revolution model to the age of information. |
| 9:20 am – 9:40 am | Discussion |
| 9:40 am – 10:00 am | Cruising at a Higher Altitude-The Generation Z Inspired Redesign of the Las Vegas McCarran Airport Interactive Exhibit at the Discovery Children’s Museum Torrey Tracy, University of Arkansas To engage the Generation Z population who visit the DISCOVERY Children’s Museum in Las Vegas, NV, the airport themed interactive exhibit is undergoing a redesign. |
| 10:00 am – 10:20 am | The Beckoning Kitchen Table Kathryn Brandt & John Joseph Linn, High Point University Conversational pedagogy in digital cloud-based settings echo social media interaction and calls for understanding and empathy while enticing co-authorship: The Beckoning Kitchen Table |
| 10:20 am – 10:40 am | Discussion |
| 10:40 am – 11:00 am | Posters + Break |
| 11:00 am – 11:20 am | Just Getting in: Equity in Historic Retail Settings Jennifer Webb, University of Arkansas The goal of this project was to create a taxonomy of barriers for individuals with a reduced functioning (mobility, sight, hearing) in an historic town square retail setting. |
| 11:20 am – 11:40 am | TBD |
| 11:40 am – 12:00 pm | Discussion |
| 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm | Lunch |
| 1:00 pm – 1:20 pm | An Exploration of Wellness in the Built Environment: Redefining the college campus center to address a generation defined by direct communication and unique experiences Lynette Panarelli & Sylvia Masters, Wentworth Institute of Technology An exploration of wellness currently on college campuses. A cohort of interior design students define characteristics of wellness that can effectively be integrated into the built environment. |
| 1:20 pm – 1:40 pm | Design Professionals as Leaders in Childhood Health and Well-being Dr. Kristi Gaines, Texas Tech This externally funded project is a collaborative effort to provide design resources to design professionals, childcare providers, and child care licensing inspectors |
| 1:40 pm – 2:00 pm | Discussion |
| 2:00 pm – 2:20 pm | Design Archive + Oral History = State Treasure Dr. Stephanie Zollinger, University of Minnesota An oral history project is helping the Larsen Design Archive to come “alive.” The project is exploring and documenting the success and collaboration of Jack Lenor Larsen. |
| 2:20 pm – 2:30 pm | Teaching design principles and elements to Generation Z students through the American School Philosophy: An iterative design longitudinal case study between Bruce Goff homes and design/build furniture Dr. Natalie Ellis, University of Oklahoma Teaching the theories of design principles and elements to Generation Z through Bruce Goff’s inspiration works in a full-scale furniture build. |
| 2:30 pm – 2:50 pm | A Social and Cultural Collaboration of Human Centered Design Across Campus Dr. Suchismita Bhattacharjee & Tracy Howard, University of Oklahoma This presentation will discuss the effectiveness of a specially designed collaborative human factor project for the sophomore level Interior Design students. |
| 2:50 pm – 3:00 pm | Discussion |
| Tour & Evening Reception Sponsored by Wilsonart | |
| 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm | Depart for Tour/Travel to Wilsonart: Temple, Texas – transportation by van provided by Baylor University |
| 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm | Wilsonart LEED Building Tour & Product Development |
| 5:00 pm – 6:30 pm | Reception at Wilsonart |
| 6:45 pm – 7:45 pm | Travel back to Hotel/Dinner on own |
Friday, October 4
| 8:00 am – 8:30 am | Pastries and Coffee/Welcome Day 2 |
| 8:30 am – 8:50 am | Biomimicry and Natural Architecture: An approach toward sustainability in healthcare environments Lori Guerrero, Texas Tech University This investigative study reexamines an existing medical clinic to improve sustainable design practices. The authors will discuss methodology and the direct applications influenced by biomimicry, natural architecture. |
| 8:50 am – 9:10 am | An Exploration of Europe’s Barefoot Parks: Possibilities for Applications in the U.S. Amy Roehl, Texas Christian University This paper investigates the concept of European “barefoot parks” as a model for engaging children in the U.S. with the built and natural environment. |
| 9:10 am – 9:30 am | Accessorizing Space: Sculptural Awnings Torrey Tracy, University of Arkansas To engage, highlight, and/or accentuate an existing structure or space, the designers have designed a series of sculptural awnings that carry a sensitivity to the human scale as well as a connection to the natural environment. |
| 9:30 am – 9:45 am | Discussion |
| 9:45 am – 10:10 am | Posters + Break |
| 10:10 am – 10:30 am | The Readiness Assessment: An Alternative to Portfolio Review Sally Ann Swearingen, Joe Strahl, Mitzi Perrit, & Leisha Bridwell, Stephen F. Austin State University Faculty explore an intensive one-day skills-based assessment instead of a traditional portfolio review. Student evaluations indicate a positive reaction to the assessment intent and administration. |
| 10:30 am – 10:50 am | Baby Boomers to GenZ: A Comparative Analysis and Teaching Strategies for the Interior Design Studio Dr. Michelle Pearson, Texas Tech University A comparative analysis was conducted to help understand the key differences and similarities among the generations of a typical interior design studio. Additionally, strategies were developed for effectively delivering interior design education based on the findings. |
| 10:50 am – 11:10 am | Student’s Preference of Design Mediums in the Design Process Luis Mejia, Oklahoma State University Design students’ preference for traditional design tools and digital design tools in multiple stages of the design process. |
| 11:10 am – 11:25 am | Discussion |
| 11:30 am – 12:30 pm | Lunch & Business Meeting |
| 12:30 pm – 12:50 pm | Making Connections: Students, Faculty, Clients, Community Dr. Valerie Settles, University of Central Oklahoma A working studio provides students with experiential and service learning opportunities to develop meaningful skills while collaborating with community partners |
| 12:50 pm – 1:20 pm | |
| 1:20 pm – 1:40 pm | Bonjournal: Using a travel journal app to connect with peers and deliver course objectives Dr. Heather Carter, Oklahoma State University This study investigated a sophomore interior design cohort’s use of Bonjournal travel journal app to interact with peers and instructors and achieve seven course objectives. |
| 1:40 pm – 2:00 pm | Discussion |
| 2:00 pm – 2:15 pm | Break and Vote on Posters |
| 2:15 pm – 2:35 pm | Expanding Narrative Theory for Interior Designers Ronnie Rama, Abilene Christian University Narrative applied to pre and post design classroom projects as a means to inform and expand the design process. |
| 2:35 pm – 2:55 pm | Jack Lenor Larsen at 90: Transformations by a Textile Innovator Dr. Stephanie Zollinger, University of Minnesota The goal of the exhibition was to introduce guests to the areas in which Jack Lenor Larsen influenced and broke new ground in textile craft and industry |
| 2:55 pm – 3:15 pm | Space Prints: A Workflow Torrey Tracy, University of Arkansas Space Prints: A Workflow captivates a student audience by promoting the value of composition, instilling a sense of ownership and individual uniqueness to a design outcome, demonstrating the benefit of a strong workflow, and highlighting an imperative individual biological outcome-a space that is a part of us- our fingerprints. |
| 3:15 pm – 3:30 pm | Discussion |
| 3:30 pm – 3:45 pm | Break and Vote on Best Paper + Best Creative |
| 3:45 pm – 4:00 pm | Awards, Thank-Yous, and Closing |
| Depart Conference or Dinner on Own |
Conference Fees
| Member | Non-Member | |
| Full Conference | $149 | $249 |
| Single Day Rate | $119 | $199 |
| Graduate Students | $99 | $129 |
Sign up for IDEC membership: www.idec.org
Hotel Accommodations
Hotel Indigo Waco 211 Clay Avenue, Waco, Texas 76706
Conference Rate: $164.99/night good for nights of October 2-5
To secure conference rate call 254-754-7000 by Wednesday September 11, 2019
Local Lodging Options:
Home2 Suites by Hilton Waco
2500 Bagby Avenue, Waco, TX 76706
254-752-4400
La Quinta Inn & Suites Waco Downtown Baylor
911 South 10th Street, Waco, TX 76712
254-758-2929
