LASPAU recently interviewed COLCIENCIAS grantee Juan Manuel Salamanca García, who is pursuing a PhD in design at the Illinois Institute of Technology's Institute of Design. Juan received his bachelor's degree in industrial design from the Pontificia Universidad Javeriana (Javeriana University) in Bogotá, Colombia, and he completed his master's degree in design direction from Domus Academy in Milan, Italy and is now an assistant professor and head of the design department at Universidad Icesi (Icesi University) in Cali, Colombia. Juan shared with us some insights and experiences from his time as a COLCIENCIAS grantee.
Q: What led you to pursue a PhD in design in the United States?
Salamanca: Coming to United States is the result of a combination of academic and personal factors. Globally, doctoral degree programs in design are scarce and the United States has some of the most reputable programs. Moreover, Chicago is both a cosmopolitan and affordable American city which has a lot to offer culturally, even in the winter. During the summer Chicago is simply wonderful.
Q: The transition to studying abroad can be challenging at times. How have you stayed focused, especially during difficult moments?
Salamanca: In addition to having a clear goal before I moved to United States, laying out a draft roadmap with my academic advisor upon my arrival helped me overcome the challenges of settling into a new culture. However, getting involved in unexpected activities related to my field of interest, including participating in collaborations with local artists, has also given me fresh insights and motivation to get through difficult moments.
Q: What have been the major benefits of the COLCIENCIAS award for you? What impact has COLCIENCIAS had on your career?
Salamanca: The funding and logistical support from COLCIENCIAS has played a critical role for me in pursuing my ambition of becoming a doctor in philosophy in design. Being a COLCIENCIAS grantee is not only an honor but a great opportunity to further my professional aspirations both as a researcher and professor on an international level.
Q: How has your experience been working with LASPAU?
Salamanca: It has been an excellent experience. LASPAU is highly regarded by U.S. universities which helps to facilitate financial and student placement logistics. Also, LASPAU has been prompt in answering questions related to my legal status as an exchange visitor in U.S. and, as my legal sponsor, LASPAU has always supported me when I have requested work permission or travel form validation.
Q: Your LASPAU Program Advisor Lisa Tapiero mentioned you have participated in some internships and have presented at several international conferences. Could you tell us briefly about the experiences that have had the greatest impact on your career? How did your interaction with other professionals in your field help you grow?
Salamanca: I have interned in large corporations such as Motorola, as well as small design studios like Sano Research. These work experiences have shown me the challenges associated with articulating innovation and product development processes at different scales in different organizational cultures. All of these experiences have reconfirmed the interdisciplinary nature of design and innovation. The opportunity of presenting some of my early research results at conferences in Asia and Europe has given me insight on how to better position my research relative to different methods, scholars and disciplines. As a result of these experiences I was invited to be a member of the program committee of the 7th Design and Emotion Conference, interacting with over 300 international researchers from academia and corporations.
Q: Could you tell us about some of your current projects and research?
Salamanca: My doctoral research is about the design of smart artifacts as enablers of social interaction. In particular, I am exploring how the design of everyday objects, enhanced with some computational decision making capabilities, may facilitate social processes such as cooperation or collaboration among people. I am also working on the development of software for the analysis of qualitative data based on visual coding and data visualization. This tool will extend the analysis functionalities of online data collection platforms, typically used by social science researchers.
Q: Can you tell us about any initiatives you have taken or are planning to pursue to create links between Icesi University and Illinois Institute of Technology?
Salamanca: Over the course of 74 years, the IIT Institute of Design has established a number of design methods and tools that condense the way designers create innovative solutions. Today, these methods - known as Design Thinking - are successfully applied not only in product and service design but also in the design of business strategies. I plan to build a bridge for the transfer of Design Thinking between IIT Institute of Design and Icesi University to introduce these methodologies in Colombia.
Q: What advice would you give to current grantees from Latin America who are studying abroad?
Salamanca: My advice is to get involved in activities that allow you to build an international network of friends and colleagues through the academic advisors assigned by your department, as well as the international center at your university. Additionally, participating in research projects conducted at your school could put you in contact with colleagues or future collaborators. This network will continue to foster new learning as well as pathways to disseminate research findings once you return home.
