Overview
My research looks at design as a tool for enhancing user experience and
quality of life. In doing this, I try to combine design theories and
technologies with a hands-on approach that makes it easier for new ideas and
concepts to be applied into everyday life. This focus on applied research
provides an important link between design research and practice, while also addressing
my personal interests and those of my students in designing solutions that are
feasible and meaningful to a wide variety of users. A key component
to this approach is to enable cross-disciplinary collaboration with other
departments at RIT as well as with international institutions and industry
sponsors.
My body of work to date includes: 18 national and international, peer-reviewed publications, including two book chapters; 30 national and international keynote, peer-reviewed and invited lectures and workshops; and 9 international workshops. Most of my publications and conference presentations are at high-level, peer-reviewed events, with an average acceptance rate of 25%. As for grants, most of my funding comes from corporate sponsors, adding to over $206,000 ($100,000+ as Principal Investigator).
Over the last few years I have been able to develop a strong presence at an International level. Since 2014, two thirds of my publications and presentations have been at international venues, including: Italy, Netherlands, Sweden, Denmark, Canada, Mexico, Guatemala, Colombia and Perú. I have been recently invited to be a judge in the 8th Bienal Iberoamericana de Diseño (Iberoamerican Design Biennial), which celebrates the most important design work coming out from over seventeen countries in Latin America, Spain and Portugal. I have also led efforts in the creation of four partnerships (Memorandum of Understanding) between RIT and international academic institutions and corporations.
My scholarship addresses three key areas:
This area integrates
sustainability and emotional attachment, focusing primarily on environmental
issues and life cycle optimization. The reason for this focus is the dire need
for design education and practice to effectively integrate strategies that
reduce environmental impact while still being competitive in the market place.
The inclusion of emotional attachment is key for implementing these strategies
as it creates a stronger connection between users and
their products,
producing product enjoyment, extending product lifespan and promoting
sustainable behavior. Highlights
of my research on Sustainable Product Design include:
- 2 book chapters, 1 journal publication, 4 conference proceedings, 12 public lectures, and 9 workshops, all peer-reviewed or invited at events in Europe, Asia, North and Latin America.
- Industry funding from American Packaging, AT&T, Autodesk, Colgate/Palmolive, Kraft Foods, Makerbot, Staples, Sun Products, Unilever, and Wegmans, adding to $151,000 ($45,000 as P.I.).
- Appointment as extended program faculty at RIT’s Golisano Institute for Sustainability.
- Graduate student’s research that includes publications, conference presentations and competitions’ awards.
- Student work from these courses has won several national and international design competitions.
A key tool for my work
and research is CAD (computer aided design). This tool allows for design
exploration and execution in a wide variety of ways. I’m particularly
interested in integrating both analog and digital tools in design process, taking
advantage of multiple capabilities in each medium. A key component of my work
in digital modeling has been a partnership with Autodesk, global software
company based in San Francisco. The collaboration with them has included early
adoption of software for CAD and Photogrammetry, as well as several research
initiatives on sustainability, generative design, online education interdisciplinary
collaboration. Highlights of my research on digital modeling include:
- 2 conference proceedings and 6 public lectures, all peer-reviewed or invited at events in North and Latin America.
- Industry funding from AT&T, Autodesk, Makerbot, and Staples, adding to $114,500 ($54,500 as P.I.).
- Creation of case studies and innovative CAD methods, which are used widely as best-practice tools in industry.
- Beta-testing and early adoption of Fusion 360 and ReMake/ReCap.
- Student involvement in courses, research, and publication of innovative CAD methods.
An important component of my scholarship
focuses on innovative educational methods. These methods have a practical
application in my classroom and have also resulted in journal publications and
conference presentations on inter-disciplinary design courses, design education
strategies and innovative CAD workflows. My educational methods follow three
key principles: First, design is a creative, iterative, problem-solving
process, where good solutions come from extended exploration and refinement.
Second, design needs to address relevant needs around users, society and
environment, which are worth investing time, effort and energy into them. This
principle aligns strongly with my interest in sustainability. Third, is the active
collaboration between design and other disciplines, both in academia and industry.
Highlights of my research on educational methods include:
- 3 journal publications, 4 conference proceedings, 2 magazine articles, and 5 public lectures, all peer-reviewed or invited at events in Europe, North and Latin America.
- 13 industry-sponsored courses, ranging areas such as sustainability, housewares, electronic consumer goods, packaging, and digital fabrication.
- Student work from courses taught has received awards in over 15 national and international design competitions.
- Alex Lobos is the recipient of the 2017 Richard and Virginia Eisenhart Award for Outstanding Teaching, RIT’s highest honor for excellence in teaching.