Mission
The Design Studies Institute trains and empowers the next generation of designers to lead within the field. Through teaching and research, the Institute trains designers for the professions of today, while seeking to cultivate creative, critical, and socially responsible designers who are trained for the professions of tomorrow.
Vision
The Design Studies Institute leverages the practice and research of design to develop futures that prioritize a just and sustainable society.
VALues
Our higher education institution values commitment to providing an enriching educational experience. Our commitment leads our approach to teaching, learning, and fostering a vibrant academic community.
Design can transform society. Design is a transformational force that helps individuals and organizations develop products, services, and experiences that transform society. Through our academic programs at the Design Studies Institute, we want to aid our students in their development into the professional designers they aspire to be. Through education, we trust that our students can not only transform themselves, but the society around them.
Design education is applied education. Education is not just about the courses that are taken, but how they are applied in the real world. At the Design Studies Institute we teach and help further our student’s design knowledge and skills, as well as help them build connections and real-world experience to help them succeed in the world of work.
Design expertise is collaborative. Our faculty members are dedicated to helping students further develop themselves as thinkers, makers, and designers. Faculty members working with the Design Studies Institute have extensive experience and expertise in their respective fields of design. Faculty want to collaborate with and mentor students to transform their knowledge into a career in design. All faculty members want to see students grow into new design leaders.
Location
Our academic programs are designed for online and distance learning, with some programs requiring low-residency components for hands-on collaboration and intensive study.
These residencies and in-person learning takes place in Anguilla, British West Indies. This model combines the flexibility and accessibility of digital education with the transformative power of place-based learning in the Carribean.