Ontario College of Art & Design University
Helmut Reichenbächer, Ph.D.
Associate Vice-President, Research and
Dean, Graduate Studies
OCAD UNIVERSITY
“The University of Imagination”
DIGITAL FUTURES INITIATIVE
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INCLUSIVE DESIGN RESEARCH CLUSTER
The IDRC is OCAD University’s national centre of expertise, providing leadership
in addressing the critical and timely question: “How do we design and develop our
information and communication technology systems such that they are inclusive of
people with varying abilities, languages and cultural preferences?”
Tekla Mobile Scanning Keyboard
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DIGITAL DRAWING & PAINTING LABS
The DDPL supports leading contemporary art practices that engage
experimentation in photogenic painting, contemporary abstraction and digital
projection painting. These research fields influence new animation technologies,
and the use of sketching and painting techniques in product design as well as
applications in architecture and interior design.
Professor Anda Kubis, Associate Professor,
Chair Drawing & Painting ,
Principal Investigator, Digital Drawings & Painting Lab
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CIV-DDD @ OCAD UNIVERSITY LAB
The Centre for Innovation in Information Visualization and Data-Driven Design
(CIV-DDD), led by York University in partnership with OCAD University and the
University of Toronto is envisioned to be a preeminent research hub for innovation
and training in information and scientific visualization in Ontario by developing the
next generation of data discovery, design, and visualization techniques by
developing new computational tools, representational strategies, and interfaces.
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GAME:PLAY LAB
The game:play lab creates a home for game-related
projects at OCADU and beyond. Gaming
explorations extend from indie and art game
development to collaboration with other Universities
on research projects to entertainment industry
partnerships.
The game:play lab develops and delivers innovative
art and design-led digital game research projects.
game:play will explore (through play), critique
(through theory) and expand (through practice) the
nature of the gaming experience.
Indie Game Showcase 2010
photo courtesy Brendan Lynch
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MOBILE EXPERIENCE LAB
Mobile technology, platform and applications research is one of OCAD University’s core
capabilities. Research continues in platform design, multimedia interfaces, locationand context-aware applications, sensor interfaces, multi-screen content and technology,
mobile gaming, way-finding and augmented reality.
Images & photos courtesy OCAD U Research Team
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PHYSICAL COMPUTING HYBRID LAB (PCHL)
The PCH is a nexus prototyping studio for all DMRII laboratories. It supports electronics
and robotics content research projects, including digital painting, sculpture, multitouch, sensors, smart materials, lighting and wearable technologies. It houses and
supports coding and programming electronics, embedded computer development
stations, fabrication of objects with materials using cloth, plastics, wood and metals,
and has assembly work stations to connect and test circuits and devices.
Images & photos courtesy OCAD U Research Team
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collaborating lab
SMAC/SOCIAL MEDIA COLLABORATION LAB
The SMAC Lab investigates all facets of collaboration projects engaged within shared
social networks, using virtual and hybrid physical spaces, supported by translators
such as networked devices and surfaces.
The SMAC Lab collaborators include : CAFA (China Central Academy of Fine Arts) and
the Baycrest / Memory Link program.
Images & photos courtesy OCAD U Research Team
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Social Body Lab
Research is focused on investigating the expressive and perceptive nature of the
human form in relation to wearable and mobile technologies. Exploration of the
integration of electronics components, including sensors, microcontrollers, and
actuators into clothing through construction and material strategies such as the
use of conductive textiles and inks.
K. Hartman & H. Meyer
I. Cho
H. Hayes
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STRATEGIC INNOVATION LAB (sLAB)
A centre of research and innovation, sLAB integrates academic research,
professional engagement, education and skills development for stakeholders in
the private, public and not-for-profit sectors.
The researchers’ main endeavours are envisioning possible futures by exploring
the intersections of human behaviour, new technologies and organizational
capacities to develop and apply strategic foresight, visualization, prototyping
methodologies to inform the front end of the innovation process.
Images & photos courtesy OCAD U Research Team
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IMAGINATION CATALYST
Supporting young entrepreneurs and creative business start-ups
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INCUBATOR PARTNERSHIP
Mobile Experience Innovation Centre (MEIC)
MEIC provide leadership in building innovation capacity and design
excellence in Canada‘s mobile and wireless industries.
MEIC is a not-for-profit organization based in Toronto, Canada.
Founded in 2007 by OCADU, MEIC supports design leadership and
innovation in Canada’s mobile industry.
Through applied research and commercialization, SME advisory and
services, conferences and workshops and international outreach,
MEIC is recognized as a leading organization across Canada.
MDI is an exciting part of the evolution of the mobile industry – being
the first mobile-focused incubator in the Greater Toronto Region.
INFO: kwebb@ocad.ca
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National Institute of Design, Bangalore Research Campus
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NID Bangalore
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Srishti School of Art, Design and Technology
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Manipal University
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Institute for Apparel Management, Gurgaon
DFI MASTERS
• Foundational seminars in the
history and theory of digital media
• Immersion and an Intensive Project
and Prototyping Spring Institute
with the Canadian Film Centre
Media Lab at the end of the first
year
• Interdisciplinary research and
creative practice-based courses
• Elective and shared courses from
other graduate programs
• Seminars, guest lectures and
workshops
• Internship & Exchange
opportunities
• MFA/Mdes/MA Thesis or Diploma
Project
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MASTERS of Design in Inclusive Design (Mdes)
2011
A two-year executive masters program.
Designed for professionals and open to students worldwide.
The program involves:
• Innovative online courses which use highly interactive instructional design techniques.
• Multi-disciplinary seminars co-taught by leaders in the field.
• A major project.
• Opportunities to become involved with IDRC’s numerous open source research and development
projects.
• The program is designed to be fully accessible to students and faculty with diverse needs, including
students with disabilities and students for whom English is a second language
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Best Practices
• the Partner Institution
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Best Practices
• the Partner Institution
• Human Connection
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Best Practices
• the Partner Institution
• Human Connection
• Incentives
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Best Practices
• the Partner Institution
• Human Connection
• Incentives
• Sustainability
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