Designing Learning

Over the last thirty years I’ve crafted and taught dozens of original courses in design, art, critical thinking, and futures literacy. While most of my work has centered on developing original syllabi for innovative new courses, I’ve also had the pleasure of evolving courses created by mentors and colleagues, and the privilege of co-creating forward looking strategic frameworks in collaboration with fellow educators, executives, and industry partners.

I’m proud to have constructed impactful educational paradigms that advanced the academic experience for students, created substantial opportunities for faculty, and spurred institutional growth. I have mentored and developed significant cohorts of part-time and full-time faculty and staff, many of whom have advanced into full-time tenure track and academic leadership positions.  

Teaching is a team sport!

Sending a big shout out to the generosity of all my talented colleagues, partners, and students over the years!

  • Helen Maria Nugent with students and faculty exhibiting at Rossana Orlando Gallery in Milan

    SAIC Whatnot team installing at Rossana Orlandi Gallery in Milan

  • Helen Maria Nugent with faculty and students in the CCA Studio Forward class.

    CCA Google Studio Forward team at the Future Resonance exhibition opening at Yerba Buena Center for the Arts.

  • CCA delegation visiting Kernel Film + Culture Company with colleagues from CAFA in Beijing.

  • Helen Maria Nugent with students, faculty and staff in designed objects at SAIC.

    SAIC Whatnot team with crates packed and ready to ship out to Milan Salone.

  • Helen Maria Nugent with Jony Ive and CCA design graduates before commencement

    CCA design graduates with commencement keynote speaker Jony Ive

  • Helen Maria Nugent with faculty and winning students in the Design discipline.

    Young Arts Design Winners during National Young Arts week in Miami.

  • Helen Maria Nugent with students and faculty in MFA Designed Objects. Photo by George Aye.

    SAIC MFA Designed Objects thesis students and faculty

  • Helen Maria Nugent with Mayor Emmanuel at the Mayors office in Chicago

    SAIC Designed Objects faculty at the Whatnot Collection debut at the Chicago Mayor's office.

  • Helen Maria Nugent with faculty and students in Rome, Italy

    SAIC Italy study trip faculty and students in Rome.

  • Helen Maria Nugent with faculty and students visiting with Zhu Pei in Beijing.

    CCA delegation visiting 798 Arts District Cube Museum with architect Zhu Pei

Teaching Archive

  • University of Florida

    ART 1802: Workshop for Art Research + Practice; Lecture

    ART 1803C: The Workshop for Art Research + Practice; Studio

    ART 2306: Drawing Movement + Motion

    ART 3959: Performance, Video + Installation II

    ART 4930: Installations + Environments

    ART 5390: Graduate independent Studies

  • School of the Art Institute of Chicago

    UG DIV 1001: Introduction to Design Arts

    DESOB 1001: Introduction to Designed Objects

    INARC 1001: Introduction to Interior Architecture

    FYP 1003: 3D Studio

    FIRYR 1022:  Research Studio: Home

    UG DIV 2001:  Designed Objects Studio 1 (First pilot course in Designed Objects in 2001)

    DESOB 2020:  Designed Objects Topics Studio: Consuming

    DESOB 2020:  Designed Objects Topics Studio: Dwelling

    DESOB 2030:  Beginning Designed Objects

    INARC 3004:  Design with Light

    CER 3020:  Porcelain Production for Designed Objects

    DESOB 3057:  Branded Objects

    AIADO 4016:  GFRY Studio (One-year long course Funded by Motorola)

    DESOB 4020: Designed Objects: Advanced Projects (ICFF) 

    DESOB 4030: External Partnerships: CB2 (Project Adviser)

    DESOB 4030: External Partnerships: Milan. Whatnot Collections

    AIADO 4035:  Light in Conjunction

    DESOB 4050: Advanced Projects Designed Objects

    AIADO 4050: Off Campus Study Trip: Rome/Milan/Venice Biennale

    AIADO 4981: Learning from Las Vegas (Study Trip)

    AIADO 5300: User research Lab (Graduate Bootcamp)

    DESOB 5120: Graduate Design Studio 2

    MFA 6009: Graduate Projects Advising

    DESOB 6110: Graduate Studio 3

    DESOB 6160: Graduate Thesis Studio 2


  • California College of the Arts

    DESGN 6660: Design Research + Speculative Design

    IXDSN/GD/ID 4800: Studio Forward