In today's episode of Journey with Naya, we dive into the journey of Derek Cascio, a designer, teacher and entrepreneur. He shares his experiences from mentoring students at Wentworth and discusses the changes he's witnessed in design education. The conversation also covers the challenges and opportunities AI presents in design, the importance of traditional skills, and the evolving landscape of higher education.
In this episode, we cover:
(00:00) Career Evolution - "There's a certain skillset and a certain mindset that's important to have as a designer." Lessons from Derek’s journey highlight the adaptability and diverse skills needed in creative careers.
(03:24) Benefits of Teaching and Mentorship - "I really enjoyed helping people kind of unlock potential." Exploring how education and mentorship enrich both the teacher’s and students’ skills.
(07:41) The Role of Physical Making: “Model making and physical crafting are still crucial because they connect us to the reality of the objects we design.”
(08:43) Balancing Innovation with Tradition - "One foot rooted in tradition and the other foot looking forward." The importance of maintaining core traditional competencies while embracing innovation.
(13:33) Responding to Educational Shifts - Adapting to the changing landscape of student expectations and technological advancements in educational settings.
(15:08) Real-world Design Applications: “You are making a physical thing that a human being is going to use, all of that other stuff doesn't matter if you go to make the thing and it's terrible or it doesn't work.”
(19:26) Editorial Role of Modern Designers: "We are becoming more like editors... AI helps us generate options, but the human designer shapes these into final products."
(21:47) What is GT1 Multi-Tool? - “A tool set in your pocket. That's very capable and durable, but elegant, and fun to use! ” Find out how this tool was made on Naya.
(23:56) Anticipating Future Tools - "Embracing new technologies is essential for staying ahead in the design field." How designers can prepare for future tools and technologies.
(25:01) The Importance of Historical Context: “It’s very important not to lose sight of where all of this stuff came from.We have to know what was there before we move forward.”
(28:27) Community Impact - "Running IDSA Boston allowed me to engage deeply with the design community, enriching both my personal and professional life."
(30:37) How to Find Your Niche? - Key lessons for designers looking to innovate and stay relevant in a rapidly evolving field.
(33:48) How Has Naya helped in Building GT-1 Multitool?: “We've been able to send them stuff through this tool and they've been able to get things rather than just sending, certain links or, other drive files and things of that nature.”
(35:06) The Importance of Feedback - "Put your work out there, ask people, get feedback. Some of it may be brutal. You may get the worst feedback ever, right? But who cares?"
Some Takeaways:
Design isn't just about pixels; it's about people.
AI isn't here to replace designers; it's here to enhance our creative capabilities.
Don't forget the timeless design principles that have guided us for years.
Collaboration is key!
More than skills, equip yourself with the mindset to adapt in a world where AI is increasingly shaping our landscape.
Where to find Derek Cassio:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/derekcascio/
Email: derek@niche.industries
Instagram: @findcarvefill
Where to find Naya:
Instagram: @naya__studio
Twitter: https://x.com/naya_app
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