Russell Taylor

Director of italiaDesign

He is a passionate award-winning teacher, dedicated to students and their learning. He has been a faculty member in the School of Interactive Arts + Technology (SIAT), at Simon Fraser University, since 2001 and is a Senior Lecturer in Design. Professor Taylor runs two field schools in alternate years in Europe - italiaDesign since 2004 and dutchDesign since 2011. He is the founder and has been the sole Director of these program since inception. His work is firmly located in the understanding and professional practice of design, specifically leading to Experience Design in particular. Since 2004 italiaDesign and dutchDesign have conducted over 170 interviews with the world's most influential designers in Italy, the Netherlands, France, Belgium, Denmark, Sweden, Germany, the U.S. and Canada, all of which are shared-open-source through sfuitaliadesign.com and sfudutchdesign.ca. In the 11 consecutive years of the study, 161 students have participated and contributed after a competitive entry process. Professor Taylor teaches a holistic approach to design integrating instruction in graphic design + typography, product design, space + architecture, urbanism, experience design, interaction design, brand + identity and user experience design; all located in cultural context and deep social engagement. He lives and works in Vancouver, Canada.