Highlights of Impact Talk on "Elegant Design"  

Guest Presenter Dr. Iandoli

On Wednesday, April 27th, the Office of the Provost hosted another dynamic Impact Talk, "Elegantly Designing the Future of Computing, Communication and Education". This Impact Talk featured three prominent scholars who are experts in the fields of technology, design, media, learning, and the fusion of these and other areas.

Dr. Luca Iandoli, Associate Dean for Global Programs and Research and a Professor in the Department of Computer Science at St. John's University, began the event by offering key highlights of his book Elegant Design. Integrating an array of interdisciplinary scholarship, from Darwin's Voyage of the Beagle to Gell-Mann's The Quark and the Jaguar, with famous works of art and design, Dr. Iandoli discussed how the human mind navigates extremes of simplicity and complexity. He defined "elegant design" as a mode of experimental thinking that finds a moderate amount of complexity, neither sensory overload nor austere lack of detail. He also talked about thinking aesthetically, by applying that aspiration to elegance to questions and problems outside the field of aesthetics: elegant organizations, elegant engineering, and elegant science.

Panel Addresses Audience Questions

After Dr. Iandoli's presentation, the audience was treated to a panel discussion. The panel included Professor Mark Juszczak, assistant professor in international communication at St. John's University; Professor Edrex Fontanilla in the Division of Mass Communication at St. John's University; Interim Dean Joseph Martinelli, College of Education and Human Services; and Interim Dean Renee Robinson, College of Communication and the Arts. Paul Fisher, Associate Chief Information Officer, also contributed. The insightful, innovative, and spirited discussion elaborated the advantages and challenges of merging and joining in the contexts of scholarly research, experimental art, and academic curricula and organizations. Afterwards, the audience and panelists participated in working groups.

This session was very insightful in many aspects and examined how we can open ourselves to different ways and perspectives of approaching how design influences so many facets of our lives, learning, work, etc.

Impact Talk: Elegant Design Presentation

Our featured presenter, Dr. Iandoli, offered these thoughts about his participation: "it was an honor and above all a pleasure to have the opportunity to share my work with you and to get involved in the exciting conversations that took place during the event. It was also comforting and reassuring, I'd say, to see how the academic community at SHU and in other schools as well is rolling up its sleeves to face 21st century higher education challenges with energy, openness, and positive attitude. It was great food for thought and for the spirit."

For those who were unable to attend the event, please click here to view the presentation.

Categories: Education