Design in 7 | College of Design

What can be shared in just seven minutes?

Listen in as professionals from the fields of apparel design, architecture, graphic design, interior design, landscape architecture, product design, user experience design (UX), and retail share thought-provoking, inspiring, and often humorous tales from the design trenches. This year's theme, "change" reflects the evolving nature of design and how the College of Design is responding to meet creative opportunities of the future.

Inspired by this year’s theme, 'Change,' our storytellers reflect on the evolving nature of design and the impact of change in their creative and professional lives. This year, we’re also excited to include UX in the mix to showcase how the College of Design is adapting for future opportunities.

Design in 7 is a two-time UMAA Program Extraordinaire Award Winner.

Save the Date

Tuesday, April 7, 2026

5:30 PM Networking Reception, 6:30 PM Doors Open, 7:00 PM Program

Reception with speakers follows the program

Coffman Memorial Union Theater and Lounge

In addition to an entertaining program, join us for opportunities to connect with design students and professionals during the optional, pre-event networking reception, and to meet our featured speakers during a social after the main event. Light refreshments and a cash bar will be available starting at 5:30 PM.

2026 SPEAKERS

Maurice Blanks, Co-Founder, BluDot Furniture

Thomas Heller, Associate Vice President of Marketing, Cassia

Satoko Muratake, PLA, Landscape Architect and Director of Process, TEN x TEN Studio

Hayley Matthews-Jones, CEO, Minneapolis Craft Market; COO, The Get Down Coffee Company

Korynn Newville (BDA ’16), Architect and Sustainability Program Manager, Ryan Companies

Martasia Person, Menswear Designer, Target

Anne Porter, CID, Studio Leader and Senior Interior Designer, LHB

Jonathan Sollie, Partner and Head of Digital, Friend & Fort

TICKETS

General Public – $10
Design Faculty, Staff & Alumni – $8
Students and 2024–26 Design Mentors & Mentees – FREE

CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS: STUDENT ILLUSTRATOR

We are seeking one talented College of Design student to create eight speaker portraits in their unique style. The selected artist receives a also and complimentary event tickets. Their work and name will be featured on our website, program, and slides, with permanent recognition in our event archives (see below). To apply, email your digital portfolio or portraiture samples to Ren Kessinger ([email protected]) by February 9. The winner will be announced within one week, a sample speaker portrait is due two weeks after notification, and final illustrations are due by March 20.

Past Speakers & Event Recordings

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2025

Design in 7 speaker trading cards header graphic

Illustrations by Sadie Krause (Sadie Krause Industrial Design, Instagram @sadiehk_art)

SPEAKERS

Danielle Alexander Bailey, Graphic Designer/Art Director, Danielle Alexander Design

Bradley Agee (BED '96, MLA '08), Owner, Constable-Steele Garden Design; Landscape Architecture Faculty, UMN College of Design

Kavwimba (Kav) Mdumuka (M.Arch '17), Design-Build Integrator, Ryan Companies US, Inc.

Elizabeth Styczinski, Interior Designer, Saint Terre Studio

Maggie Thompson, Textile Artist and Designer/Owner, Makwa Studio

Jim Wilson, Product Designer & Senior Lecturer, UMN College of Design

Houston White Jr., Entrepreneur, Designer, Creative, Writer, Culturemaker & Barber; Houston White Enterprises
AND
Sam Soulek, Creative Director, Brand Builder, Culturemaker, Soul Seven

View the Trading Cards

2024

Illustrations of Design in 7 speakers on trading cards arranged in a line.

Illustrations by Owen Brummel.

Chris von Dohlen, CEO & Founder, The Von Collaborative
Victoria Sass, Owner, Prospect Refuge
Lisa Jane, Owner & COO, Northern Drift
Allan Peters, Partner & CCO, Peters Design Co.
Wale Falade, Principal, Locus Architecture; President, MSP NOMA
Leslie Randall, Founder, The Luxury Shrink
Han Zhang, Principal, O², President-elect, ASLA MN

2023

Illustrations by Mortimer Ackerman.

Samantha Tousey (BS '09 Retail Merchandising), Director of Women's Buying, MartinPatrick3
Ashley Adamma Ochiagha (BS '15 Interior Design), Interior Designer and Engagement Strategist, Fancy Meeting You Here
Wanjing Ji, Landscape Architect and Design Director, Coen+Partners
Jeremiah Albrecht, Creative Director, Chandler Inc.
Maxine Britt (BS '20 Apparel Design), Founder, Mx Apparel
Gabriel Keller, Designer and Founding Principal, PKA Architecture
Hannah Edwards, Designer, Illustrator, Educator, and Founder of Greater Than Courses

Watch the Full Event

2022

Illustrations by Gretchen Pickering.

Carla Fabian, UX Designer, Solution Design Group
Ashley Ackerson, Director for Womenswear & Product Design, Target
Max Musicant, Founder + Principal, The Musicant Group
Sally Grans Korsh, Facilities Management & Environmental Advisor
Tejas Dhadphale, Associate Professor, UMN College of Design
Joy Martin, Architect and Owner, Joy Martin Architecture
Judy Bell, CEO (Chief Energetic Officer), Energetic Retail

Emcee: Tane Danger, Co-founder, Theater of Public Policy; Adjunct Faculty, UMN College of Design

Watch the Full Event

2021

Illustrations by Isabel Atkinson.

Debra W. Barnes, CID, Vice President, General Manager, Henricksen
Reginaldo Reyes, VP Brand Experience and Environmental Design, KNOCK, inc.
Maura Rockcastle, Principal & Co-founder, TEN x TEN
Beau Sinchai, Product Insights Researcher, Target; Founder/Designer, Koonyai Studio
Kathryn Sterner, Founder and Creative Director, Winsome Goods
Emily Hunt Turner, Founder & CEO, All Square, Attorney
Le'Spencer Walker, Owned Brand Manager / Strategy and Operations Manager, Target

Watch the Full Event + Q&As

View Speaker Bios

2020

2020 event canceled due to COVID-19 pandemic.

2019

Illustrations by John Barlow.

Luis Soto, Industrial and UX Designer, Associate Designer for Home Product Design, Target
Adam Regn Arvidson, Landscape Architect, Writer, Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board
Michele Espeland, Certified Interior Designer (CID), Principal, Cuningham Group
Joy McBrien, Founder and CEO, Fair Anita
Raymond Dehn, Politician and Community Organizer, MN House of Representatives
Marion Parke, Podiatric surgeon and luxury footwear designer, Marion Parke
Meg Lewis, Designer, Educator, Commercial Artist, Ghostly Ferns, Fool Proof

View the Entire Playlist

2018

Illustrations by Tessa Portuese.

Tim Carl, CEO & Design Principal, HGA
Susan Shields, Co-owner, Airtex Group
Nyakim Gatewich, Model, @queennyakimofficial
Greg Van Bellinger, Vice President, Target
Carlo Missio, Sr. Urban Designer, WSB & Associates
Merick Reed, CEO, Carbon Collective
Kate Worum and Jennifer Jorgensen, Co-Founders, She She

2017

Illustrations by Justy Nusbaum.

Kate Arends, Owner, Wit & Delight
Ana Nelson, Senior Landscape Architect, Perkins+Will
Matthew Kreilich, Principal Architect, Snow Kreilich Architects
Coleman Iverson, Chief Creative Officer / Co-Founder, Hidrate, Inc.
Tao Ham, Associate Vice President, HGA
Jerry Allan, President, Criteria Architects
Ashley Damian, Women's Shoe Designer, Target

View the Entire Playlist

2016

Illustrations by Lizzie Goncharova.

Brent Webb, Business Development Associate, Sherman Associates
Susan Weyandt, Area Healthcare Manager, Steelcase
Jennifer Yoos FAIA, Principal/CEO, VJAA (video not available)
Sharon Werner, Founder/Creative Director, Werner Design Werks (video not available)
Wesley Uthus, Owner, Primp cheap-chic boutique
Anna Claussen, Director of Rural Strategies, Institute for Agriculture & Trade Policy
Brad Holschuh, Wearable Technology Designer and Faculty, UMN College of Design