CCA welcomes new Director of MDes Interaction Design Elena Pacenti
Elena Pacenti takes the helm of the college’s MDes in Interaction Design program with decades of experience building on innovative research, establishing new academic programs, and mentoring the next generation of designers.
Elena Pacenti leads CCA's graduate MDes in Interaction Design program.
CCA is delighted to welcome Elena Pacenti who joins the college as the new director of MDes Interaction Design. Pacenti most recently served as dean of the School of Design, which she established in 2013 at the NewSchool of Architecture and Design (NSAD) in San Diego, with the aim of preparing students for global careers in design.
Pacenti joins the college with over three decades of experience building and leading cutting-edge design research and establishing innovative education programs at international design institutions.
“I believe that the MDes in Interaction Design program at CCA is uniquely positioned to grow its area of influence for the education of the next generation of design leaders, practitioners, and thinkers who can lead the transformations of technology by addressing systemic challenges of society,” says Pacenti.
After earning her PhD from the Polytechnic University of Milan, she joined Domus Academy in Milan, a renowned Italian center for postgraduate education, where she led research projects in interactive media and innovative technologies. After serving as the director of the Domus Academy Research Center, she established the Master’s in Service and Experience Design program and served as the head of the academy’s Design School.
In addition to leading academic programs, she has focused much of her career on pioneering work in the field of design for services, coordinated European Union research projects in interaction design, and advocated for the strategic value of design and the arts by participating in organizations such as Service Design Network, Design Forward, and Future of Design Education.
“I believe that the MDes in Interaction Design program at CCA is uniquely positioned to grow its area of influence for the education of the next generation of design leaders, practitioners, and thinkers who can lead the transformations of technology by addressing systemic challenges of society.”
“We are thrilled to welcome Elena to the Design division at this pivotal moment when technology and machine intelligence permeate every facet of daily life,” says Dean of Design Helen Maria Nugent. “Her doctoral research, conducted under the mentorship of Ezio Manzini, was crucial in creating innovative master’s programs in Service and Experience Design at Domus Academy. With her extensive experience in leading front-line, project-based design education with global partners, Elena brings invaluable expertise to CCA. Her leadership will empower our acclaimed MDes program to advance its mission of preparing designers to humanely address the evolving challenges and opportunities presented by emerging technologies."
Pacenti adds, “I feel so honored to be part of CCA and deeply grateful for the opportunity to contribute to the exceptional design culture of this institution.”