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Louise St. Pierre

Professor, Industrial Design

Availability:

Education:

BFA
University of Alberta
PhD
Simon Fraser University

Bio

Dr. Louise St. Pierre is co-author of the internationally recognized sustainable design curriculum, Okala Ecological Design. She established Canada's first DESIS (Design for Social Innovation and Sustainability) Lab, researching how design can influence low-impact behaviours and lifestyles. Louise is now on the DESIS International Coordination Committee. She brings animist views to DESIS: all beings are social and should be included in design. Recent works including co-editing Design and Nature: A partnership (2019), Nature Relations: Design places, design practices, design senses (2023) and co-authoring Activating Design for Biodiversity (2021). Her PhD dissertation at Simon Fraser University was awarded the Dean of Graduate studies Convocation Medal. She continues to research how designers can prioritize all beings of the more-than-human world.

Websites:

Research Interests

Prior to joining ECU, Louise was Chair of the University of Washington Industrial Design Program. She has received awards and funding for Industrial Design, Exhibit Design and Ecological Design work from the Environmental Protection Agency, IDSA and The American Center for Design, among others. In 2014, she co-chaired International Design Principles and Practices Conference. She continues to write and lecture internationally on sustainable and ecological design, with a focus on understanding systems, deep ecology and ecological interdependence. Her research interests include animism, Buddhism, contemplative practices and deep ecological design

Research Project Involvement at ECU:

Courses

Course Name Department Course Code Term
Design DESN 340 26/FA

Description

This interdisciplinary design course focuses on ecologically-informed design practices. Students are exposed to ethics of land-based and Indigenous worldviews about the vitality and agency of the natural world through readings and guests. Relationships with more-than-humans are fostered through a variety of ecological practices; these are aimed at visceral understandings that challenge anthropocentrism. This experiential learning is complemented with in-class discussions and progressive research about plummeting ecosystem health.

Students develop actions and work through methodologies to develop design concepts directed to species and ecological flourishing. Nature becomes a collaborator and a beneficiary of the designs. Students are encouraged to explore alternate design processes that range from daily making (making-to-think), meditating in nature, journaling, body storming, and so on. They generate integrated design outcomes (designs that 'give back') such as Social Innovation for Sustainability (DESIS), Engagement Workshops, Informational Campaigns, Educational materials, and others, as they emerge.

Pre-requisites

No prerequisites.

Industrial Design INDD 300 26/FA

Description

This 6-credit core studio allows for an intensive project-based learning experience in industrial design. Students will be exposed to skills and theories that build on the knowledge from second year, expand their design capacities, and prepare them to work independently in fourth year.

Priority is given to INDD students in Year 3.

Pre-requisites

No prerequisites.