About design.nexus
Mission
The research group design.nexus (D.N), based in Campus Kortrijk but also partially connected with the interdisciplinary research center IMEC-MICT (De Krook, Ghent), is the reference expertise group and cutting edge expertise center in product-system design & development of Ghent University. The complete cyclic design life cycle of a product and its accompanying systems is covered, from frond-end innovation to realization. Design.nexus (D.N) focuses on to creating bridges between the design discipline, emerging technology, societal challenges, sustainabity goals and an ever changing production context (industry 5.0). D.N cocreates and implements interdisciplinary design strategies and best practices together with MSc students, the industry and/or organizations from both public and private sectors, mainly (but not exclusively) in the make industry, circular design and health care.
Domain and focus
Within design.nexus, we conduct research into product development from different lenses or focal points.
- From the focus .sustainability we study the sustainability of products but this in a broad system context in which all interactions and processes in relation to the product system are considered.
- From the focus .industry, we investigate how to design for changing production contexts and new digital technologies. Here, we not only pay attention to the possibilities of these technologies, but also to the designer and the people who work in these production contexts.
- The research unit design.for.empowerment, focuses on three central objectives: (1) inclusive design, (2) design for futures & (3) design for impact.
Research
Within design.nexus we have several running research projects, including some doctoral research. See our current research projects on the research projects page.
Services
design.nexus can offer support in many different ways. Take a look at our various services and possible ways of cooperation and our different research labs.
Looking for a specific contact or expertise? Check our team page.
Industrial Design Center
The design.nexus research group is active in the Industrial Design Center at the UGent Campus Kortrijk, an open living lab where industry, research, society and education meet and co-create.
Within design.nexus, we therefore strongly follow a research through design method in which we interact with the design process at different levels. This is also reflected in the structure of the Industrial Design Center
