MDes Social Lab turns 10

The Master of Design in Interaction Design(MDes) is one of CCA’s three graduate design degrees. The program prepares students for the complexity of product-service systems and environments, with a special focus on impact. A key feature of the program since 2015 is the Social Lab, which is held over two semesters. In the lab, students design systems and prototype solutions that have a positive impact on society and the environment, in collaboration with partner organizations.

Led by faculty Matthew Beebe, Sarah Fathallah, Leslie Forman, Denise Ho, Marc O’Brien, and Nathan Shedroff, with guidance from MDes Program Director Elena Pacenti, Social Lab has evolved to focus on the themes of climate resilience, social health, mobility, and media transparency. The intention is to build an archive of research and praxis in these areas that can be utilized as context and partnerships change over time. Current partners range from the Alameda County Community Food Bank to UNICEF and CNN, with topics ranging from media transparency to the future of mobility for children. Student teams complete extensive community research and user testing to propose prototypes and, in some cases, to launch for use.

Ho, whose students all worked with CNN, describes that “The students’ prototypes are pushing conversations within CNN.” O’Brien adds that, “we bring a perspective from outside of the day-to-day running of the organization, allowing a useful zoom out.” And for students, says Forman, “reckoning with the complexity of the real world is especially valuable.” Pacenti emphasizes that the intent goes beyond service to the partnership; it should benefit a larger system. “We work with, not just for, our partners. We use design competencies and stakeholder engagement to find diverse solutions and focus on systemic impact. The primary learning objective is to understand social issues and the impact of design solutions.”

Past projects have garnered numerous accolades, including from SF Design Week, Silicon Valley User Experience Awards, Red Dot Award, and Adobe Digital Edge Awards. The overall program has also been recognized with the Don Norman Design Award.

As the college celebrates the 10th anniversary of this impactful initiative, we wish the next cohort success in bringing their vision forward.

MDes in Interaction Design is a one-year, intensive STEM-designated program at CCA that attracts students from all over the world. Organized over three semesters, the program provides students with the tools to design better relationships among people, products, technology, and environments. Interaction designers flourish in this complex intersection, using craft-based design skills, systems thinking, and human-centered design to find creative solutions in the heart of San Francisco and Silicon Valley.

—Saraleah Fordyce
August 26, 2025