Abimbola Asojo

Professor, Interior Design

UMN Distinguished Global Professor

Associate Dean of Faculty, Humphrey School of Public Affairs

Professor Abimbola Asojo is a professor of Interior Design. Her teaching areas are architectural lighting design; design and human factors; computing and design; corporate design; and commercial design. She actively engages her students in community based service-learning projects that tackle local and global societal challenges. Her research areas are cross-cultural design, architectural lighting design, African architecture, computing and design, globalization and design, sustainable design, post-occupancy evaluation and K-12 spaces.

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Her work has been widely published in international journals and books. She is a licensed architect and holds a National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) certification. She is a member of the American Institute of Architects (AIA), the Interior Design Educators Council (IDEC), and the Illuminating Engineering Society (IES). She is a LEED Accredited Professional and also serves on the Journal of Interior Design (JID) Review board and is past board member of the Illuminating Engineering Society (IES) MSP chapter. Asojo was named a US DesignIntelligence top educator in 2010 and 2017. In 2018, Asojo received the Distinguished Alumni Award from the Faculty of Environmental Design and Management, Obafemi Awolowo University, Nigeria. In 2020, Asojo received the University of Minnesota Outstanding Community Service Faculty Award, the highest honor the University of Minnesota gives to a faculty member for service to the community. 

Credentials

Ph.D, FAIA, IDEC, LEED AP, NCIDQ Certificate 21989, NOMA

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Selected Scholarship

  • Asojo, A.O. & Vo, H. (2021). Pedagogy + Reflection: A Problem-Based Learning Case in Interior Design. International Journal of Designs for Learning. 12(2), 1-14. https://doi.org/10.14434/ijdl.v12i2.25372
  • Marzell, G., Asojo, A.O, Lindgren, J. Nolan, D., Nowak, A. V (2021). Coil: A Global Experience for Everyone.  Journal of Higher Education Theory and Practice. 21(4), 64-79.
  • Asojo, A.O. & Falola T. (2020). African Humanity Creativity, Identity and Personhood. North Carolina, Durham: Carolina Academic Press.  ISBN 978-1-5310-1756-9 (November 2020)
  • Asojo, A.O., Kartoshkina, Y., Jaiyeoba, B., & Amole, D. (2019). Multicultural Learning Experiences in Design through Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) Framework. Journal of Teaching and Learning with Technology, 8(1), 5-16. https://doi.org/10.14434/jotlt.v8i1.26748
  • Asojo, A. O. (2019). Nigerian Campus Design - A Juxtaposition of Traditional and Contemporary Architecture. In Moving away (Ed.), Bauhaus Imaginista. http://www.bauhaus-imaginista.org/editions/5/moving-away
  • Asojo, A.O. (2019, March 29). Racial Diversity in Interior Design: A Way Forward [Letter to the editor]. Journal of Interior Design, 44 (1). Retrieved from https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/joid.12146
  • Asojo, A.O., Bae, S. & Martin, C.S. (2019) Postoccupancy Evaluation Study of the Impact of Daylighting and Electric Lighting in the Workplace, LEUKOS, The Journal of the Illuminating Engineering Society, DOI: 10.1080/15502724.2019.1602778
  • Bae, S., Asojo, A.O. & Martin, C.S. (2019) Impact of occupants’ demographics on indoor environmental quality satisfaction in the workplace, Building Research & Information, DOI: 10.1080/09613218.2019.1627857
  • Asojo, A. O., Ranelli, P., Cernasev, A. & Pliska, J. (2018). Community-Engaged Culturally Sensitive Pharmacy Design. Academic Exchange Quarterly. 22 (3), 30-35 (Editors' choice).
  • Asojo, A. O., & Jaiyeoba, B. E. (2018). Modernism and Cultural Expression in University Campus Design. The Nigerian Example. In Moving away (Ed.), Bauhaus Imaginista. http://www.bauhaus-imaginista.org/editions/5/moving-away (Original work published in International Journal of Architectural Research, 10(3), 21, 2016).
  • Vo, H. & Asojo, A. O. (2018). Feedback responsiveness and students’ creativity. Academic Exchange Quarterly. 22(1), 53-56.
  • Bae, S., Asojo, A.O., Guerin, D. & Martin, C. (2017). Post-occupancy evaluation of the impact of Indoor Environmental Quality on health and well-being in office buildings. Journal of Organizational Psychology, 17 (7), 25-36 (ISSN# 2158-3609).
  • Asojo, A.O. (2017). Architecture: Transition from Indigenous to Modern. In. T. Falola & A. Akinyemi (Eds.). Culture and Customs of the Yoruba (pp.191-201). Austin, Texas: Pan African University Press.
  • Jaiyeoba, B.E., Asojo, A.O. & Amole, B. (2017). The Yoruba Vernacular as a Paradigm for Low-income housing: Lessons from Ogbere, Ibadan. International Journal of Architectural Research. 11(1), 101-118.
  • Asojo, A.O. & Jaiyeoba, B.E. (2016). Modernism and Cultural Expression in University Campus Design: The Nigerian Example. International Journal of Architectural Research. 10(3), 21-35.
  • Patel, T. & Asojo, A. O. (2016). Immersive Service-learning: Pedagogy + Reflection. Academic Exchange Quarterly. 20(3), 131-136.
  • Asojo, A.O. & Asojo, T.T. (2015). The Influence of Indigenous Forms, Art and Symbols on Sacred Spaces: A Study of Two Catholic Churches in Nigeria. Journal of Interior Design, 40(1), 1-17.
  • Asojo, A.O. (2015). Testing a Culture-Based Design Pedagogy: A Case Study. In J.A. Thompson & N. Blossom (Eds.), The Handbook of Interior Design, ISBN: 978-1-4443-3628-3, (pp. 432-445). New Jersey: Wiley Blackwell.
  • Asojo, A.O. (2014). Connecting Academia with Industry: A Design Project. In. M. Deprez (Ed.). Sound Instruction book:  Collaboration in Education, Volume 3 - ISBN 0-9709895-1-3, (pp.  215-220). New York: Rapid Intellect.
  • Asojo, A.O. (2013). Instructional Strategies for Teaching Cross-Cultural Design: A Pedagogical Example Using Nigerian and South African Spatial Forms.  International Journal of Architectural Research, 7(2), 76-91.
  • Asojo, A. O. (2013). A Service-Learning Healthcare project: Lessons from an Interior Design Course. ASJ: International Journal of Health, Safety and Environments (IJHSE), 1(1), 1-8.
  • Asojo, A.O. (2012). Architecture: 1900 to present: Africa. In A. Stanton, E. Ramsamy, P. Seybolt, & C. Elliott (Eds.),Cultural sociology of the Middle East, Asia, & Africa: An encyclopedia. (pp.II235-II237). Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE Publications, Inc. doi: 10.4135/9781452218458.n335
  • Asojo, A.O. (2011). Nigeria. In V. Jani (Ed.), Diversity in Design Perspectives from the non-Western World (pp. 153-193). New York, NY: Fairchild Publications, Inc.
  • Asojo, A. O. (2011). Pedagogical models from a lighting design studio. In K. Domke and C.A Brebbia (Eds.), Light in Engineering, Architecture and the Environment, (pp. 71-80). United Kingdom: WIT Press.
  • Asojo, A. O., Jani, V.J. & Amor, C. (2010). An Instructional Design on Yoruba, Gujarati and Algerian Spaces. Design Principles and Practices: An International Journal. 4(3), 63-82.
  • Asojo, A. O. & Pober, E. F. (2009). Building Information Modeling (BIM) Strategies: Pedagogical Models for Interior Design. Design Principles and Practices: An International Journal. 3(2), 159-167.
  • Erdener, E. & Asojo, A. O. (2009). Illuminating the Past, Present and Future: Architectural and Lighting Design in Historic Buildings – A Collaborative Learning Experience. Design Principles and Practices: An International Journal.  3(2), 249-259.
  • Asojo, A. O. (2008). Hybrid Forms in the Built Environment: A Case Study of African Cities.  In T. Falola, N. Afolabi, and A. Adesanya (Eds.). Migrations and Creativity in Africa and the African Diaspora  (pp. 135-145). North Carolina, Durham: Carolina Academic Press.
  • Asojo, A. O. (2007). Technology as a Tool for Globalization: Cross-Cultural Collaborative Design Studio. Journal of Interior Design. 33(2), 23-36.
  • Asojo, A. O. (2001). A Model for Integrating Culture-Based Issues in Creative Thinking and Problem Solving.  Journal of Interior Design. 27(2), 46-58.
  • Asojo, A. O. (2000). Design Algorithms After Le Corbusier. ACADIA Quarterly.  19 (4), 17-24.
  • Leigh, K. E. and Asojo, A.O. (1999). A Spiritual Celebration of Cultural Heritage. Traditional Dwellings and Settlements Review. X(11), p.46-59.

Teaching

  •     IDES 4607 Interior Design Studio VII
  •     IDES 4617/5617 Lighting Design Innovations and Technology Advances
  •     IDES 3612/5612 Lighting Design
  •     IDES 3622 Computer Applications II
  •     IDES 2604 Interior Design Studio IV
  •     IDES 2622 Computer Applications I

Professional, Institutional, and Community Leadership and Service

  • Journal of Interior Design Review Board 2004 to date
  • Board Member, Illuminating Engineering Society (IES) Minneapolis St Paul Chapter, 2014 to 2019
  • Member, Interior Design Educator Council, 1998 to date
  • Educator Member, International Association of Lighting Designers (IALD) Fall 2008 to 2011
  • Member at Large, Mid-American Alliance for African Studies, 2007 to date
  • Member, American Institute of Architects (AIA), 1997 to date
  • Licensed Architect State of Oklahoma #A4988
  • NCIDQ Certificate no 21989
  • LEED Accredited Professional

Selected Honors and Awards

  • 2020 University of Minnesota Outstanding Community Service Faculty Award
  • 2018 Environmental Design and Management, Obafemi Awolowo University, Nigeria, Distinguished Alumni Award
  • 2018 Nuckolls Fund for Lighting Education
  • 2017, 2010 Design Intelligence Most Admired Educator
  • 2017 International Interior Design Association Diversity Award
  • 2017 College of Design, UMN President's Community-Engaged Scholar
  • 2016 Interior Design Educators Council Community Service Award
  • 2013 Nuckolls Fund for Lighting Education
  • 2013 Fairchild Topical Issues Grant
  • 2012 Imagine Fund Award
  • 2011 Interior Design Educators Council Teaching Excellence Award
  • 2010 International Association of Lighting Designers Trust Fund Award
  • 2008 Nuckolls Fund for Lighting Education
  • 2002 Nuckolls Fund Edison Price Fellow
  • 2002 Focus Fellow, Georgia Institute of Technology
  • 2000 Interior Design Educators Southwest Regional Conference Best Paper/Presentation
Abimbola Asojo

Specialties & Expertise:

Cross-cultural Design, Architectural Lighting Design, Light and Health, African Architecture, Computing and Design, Globalization and Design, Sustainability and Post-Occupancy Evaluation, K-12 Design and STEAM Education

Contact

Phone
612-624-3271
Website
[email protected]
Address
488 McNeal Hall
1985 Buford Avenue
St. Paul, MN 55108
Map address