James Fathers

WORK HISTORY

EDUCATION

SKILLS

ABOUT JAMES FATHERS

Why do I call myself a Design Sceptic? Maybe I shouldn’t I’ve certainly had people ask questions about it, but in many ways that’s the point. I’m a designer and I am a huge fan of it’s potential to transform lives and contexts especially if it’s people-centered, regenerative and light-footed. AND as an Industrial designer, Papanek’s warning resonates deeply that “there are professions more harmful than industrial design but only a few of them.” I am painfully aware that design as a profession has all too often unthinkingly allied itself to the neoliberalist machine and has created much harm to people and planet. So I’m sceptical and hopeful, I’m a pragmatist and I chase ideals. As Lowey said,\"Design is too important just to be left to designers\" For me design has to be a co-creative activity were all voices are equal. I’m very interested in the role of design in development contexts ( ie any context that needs development, especially in so-called developed places). My doctoral work focused on the role of design training and enterprise development in the crafts sector in South India. For more about this see: http://designindevelopmentcontexts.wordpress.com/. Recently I have expanded this focus to explore the role of designers in development contexts closer to home, e.g. Where we are co-creators in partnership with families and clinicians to develop rapid custom adaptations for children with disabilities made from non-traditional readily available materials.Over the last seven years, I have had the privilege to help found, lead and shape the School of Design at Syracuse as an integral part of this research university, building on the rich heritage of over 100 years and an amazing host of committed alumni. In July 2020 I completed my tenure as director and am excited to be returning to the classroom as a professor, mentor and catalyst.My most recent adventures have been in exploring the power and potential of coaching and mentoring. I have used these approaches for many years. I am now a qualified coach/mentor. As a white, cis, tab, male it was time for me to get out of the way and find ways to use my experience and privilege to support others to bring diverse perspectives to positions of influence. For more information see