Director of the Design Lab at the University of California, San Diego, co-founder of the Nielsen Norman Group (a business consultancy for the development of human-centered services and products), and former vice president of, among other things, the advanced technologies research group for Apple. Donald Norman, who will be awarded an honorary degree in Design by the University of the Republic of San Marino on Tuesday, October 4th, at a ceremony scheduled for 15:15 PM, is considered a guru of his discipline. Born in 1935, a psychologist and engineer, a leading figure in ergonomics and design studies from the perspective of the cognitive process, will deliver a keynote address at the Kursaal Congress Center, preceded by a presentation by Michele Zannoni, director of the University's Master's Degree in Design. A few hours before the ceremony, Zannoni will answer two questions about one of the most significant events in the history of the University of San Marino.
What dynamics led to the decision to award Norman the Honorary Doctorate in Design?
It's an award given to individuals who distinguish themselves through their scientific research or professional activity. Donald Norman, given his career achievements, excels in both fields. The detailed reasons will be revealed during the ceremony, which is yet another reason to attend and listen to the Lectio Magistralis by a leading figure in this field, entitled "The Future of Design."
What significance does this honorary degree have for the University of San Marino?
Beyond being an acknowledgment of Norman's work, it is also a moment of scholarly reflection on the importance of the "discipline of design" in the contemporary context. Ten years after the opening of the Degree Programs in Design, the University of San Marino now boasts a rapidly growing and forward-looking educational and scientific environment. As evidence of this, I announce the release of the book "DESIGN X — Ten Years of Design in San Marino with a Look at the Next One Hundred," edited by Gianni Sinni, one of our professors, and published by Quodlibet. It will be presented on Tuesday and will feature contributions from all the Program Directors and Professors, who have attempted to imagine how Design will change in the future.