07/31/2026
We’re back to spotlight more amazing NAEA Interest Groups—where art educators can connect, collaborate, and inspire!
Today we are highlighting the Design Interest Group (DIG)–Established 2001.
DIG’s Purpose: The primary objective of the Design Interest Group (DIG) is to fulfill the compelling mission of supporting art and design educators, teaching artists, and other leaders as they learn how to teach, integrate, and facilitate design education within preK–12. Our collective goal is to guide learners of all ages in the human-centered, transformative power of Design Thinking and Learning (adapted from NDTI, 1998).
An inventive process that can be applied across all subject areas:
◾Problems are identified by way of learner-driven discovery
◾Creative problem-solving capacities are practiced and developed
◾Ideas are explored, investigated, and sorted
◾Solutions are proposed, produced, and presented
◾Learning process is assessed aimed at improving future learning
◾Learning outcomes are evaluated and clarified via feedback
It is our vision to facilitate ongoing interactions between the DIG community and NAEA members. Areas of focus include the development of design education content, facilitation of the design thinking and learning process, the framing of design-based learning lesson plans and curriculum, and insights into growing design education advocacy and professional development opportunities. With a solid foundation in hand, we continue to build partnerships with professional design-based organizations, universities, and schools.
Learn more on their website: www.naea-dig.org
NAEA Interest Groups offer members a key opportunity to connect with other members who share an interest in a specific issue or topic in art education. Interest Groups share ideas, bring areas of concern to NAEA’s attention, and hold events at the NAEA National Convention.
Visit the NAEA website for more information for each Interest Group: arteducators.org/community/interest-groups
