Designer, researcher, and educator Susan Stirling lends her considerable expertise to UIC’s School of Design both in the classroom, teaching Design Research Methods, Human Experience in Design and Design Research, and as co-instructor for the UIC Clinical Immersion Program, an intensive six-week clinical experience focused on applying human-centered design principles to Bioengineering.
Susan began her career as a graphic designer, art director, and design manager in the publishing industry; in 2009, she returned to school to study design research. Since earning her Masters in Design Methods, Susan has worked on multiple business, healthcare, and education-focused projects that leverage design as a tool to solve complex problems in a variety of settings. Former clients include Wrigley, Omron, and Steelcase.
Susan was a Columbia College Convergence Academies Faculty Fellow, and in partnership with Gensler, received a grant for her work on dormitory design solutions that contribute to student success.
Alongside her roles at UIC, Susan balances an active professional career as a design researcher and consultant, teaches an interdisciplinary course at IIT, and is a team coach and mentor with Design for America (DFA) at Northwestern University.