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1. [Home](/index%2Ephp/)
2. [Overview](/index%2Ephp/about-ocad-u)
3. [Media](/index%2Ephp/markdownify/node/22)
 
  

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- [Sustainability](/index%2Ephp/about-ocad-u/sustainability)
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- [Working at OCAD U](/index%2Ephp/about-ocad-u/careers)
- [Government Relations &amp; Public Policy](/index%2Ephp/about-ocad-u/government-relations)
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- [Partnerships](/index%2Ephp/partner-us)
 
  

 

 

#  Media 

 

 



 

 

 Explore 

- [Overview](/index%2Ephp/about-ocad-u)
- [OCAD U 150](/index%2Ephp/150)
- <a href="">Our Story</a>
- [Governance](/index%2Ephp/about-ocad-u/governance)
- <a href="">Indigenous Engagement</a>
- [Office of the President](/index%2Ephp/about-ocad-u/president)
- [Leadership](/index%2Ephp/about-ocad-u/leadership)
- [Media](/index%2Ephp/about-ocad-u/media)
- [Academic and Strategic Plan](https://www.ocadu.ca/asp)
- [Strategic Research Plan](https://www.ocadu.ca/sites/default/files/documents/OCADU-StrategicResearchPlan-FINAL.pdf)
- [Disability Culture &amp; Accessibility](/index%2Ephp/about-ocad-u/disability-culture-accessibility)
- [Sustainability](/index%2Ephp/about-ocad-u/sustainability)
- [Accountability](/index%2Ephp/about-ocad-u/accountability)
- [Working at OCAD U](/index%2Ephp/about-ocad-u/careers)
- [Government Relations &amp; Public Policy](/index%2Ephp/about-ocad-u/government-relations)
- [Hours of Operations](/index%2Ephp/about-ocad-u/hours-operations)
- [Security](/index%2Ephp/about-ocad-u/security)
- [Internationalization at OCAD U](/index%2Ephp/about-ocad-u/Internationalization)
- [Partnerships](/index%2Ephp/partner-us)
 
  

 

 

 

 

 

<a id="main-content" tabindex="-1"></a> rgb(255,255,255)



 If you are a journalist seeking to interview one of our faculty members for a story, you have come to the right place!

OCAD University’s Media Relations team can answer your questions on any of our university initiatives, events and news, plus we can connect you with experts in art and design related to a variety of current issues and topics.

Please feel free to connect with us.

### Media Relations contact

**Natalie Pavlenko**  
Senior Strategic Communications Advisor  
<npavlenko@ocadu.ca>  
416-977-6000 x 475



 

 

 

 

   ###   Accessible design       

 

- Emerging technologies that enhance accessibility, such as voice-activated devices and smart home technologies
- The impact of ethics standards, such as the Accessible Canada Act
- Real-life stories of accessible design challenges



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 ###   Art history       

 

- Canadian art (i.e. Group of Seven)
- Contemporary art/ emerging artists/trends
- Pop art
- Modern art
- Impressionism
- European masters
- Biographies and works of major artists from various periods



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 ###   Art and design industry       

 

- The role of technology (i.e. 3D printing)
- The growing emphasis on sustainability
- The use of data analytics



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 ###   Art as a medium for social change and activism       

 

- How street art/ large-scale installations are drawing the public’s attention to issues like climate change
- Art movements in the past that were used to drive social change, i.e. Dadaism and Surrealism
- Current activist artists such as Ai Weiwei and Banksy



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 ###   Art conservation and restoration       

 

- Traditional vs. modern methods (i.e. advances using 3D scanning)
- Restoration challenges, i.e. climate and environmental factors
- Cultural sensitivity and the restoration of art from different cultures



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 ###   Art market trends       

 Impact of economic fluctuations on art prices and sales

New artistic movements and styles that are becoming popular

The rise of online art marketplaces and digital auctions

Art therapy

- The role of the art therapist and their training
- How art therapy may be used for cognitive and emotional development
- Various techniques used in art therapy: drawing, painting, sculpture



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 ###   AI in art and design       

 

- Digital technology – its impact on contemporary art practices
- Overview of AI technologies used in art and design
- Authorship and ownership in AI



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 ###   Animation       

 

- Trends in experimental animation techniques and storytelling
- Mixing traditional and digital media using 2D, 3D, stop-motion, digital compositing and augmented/virtual reality.
- The role of animation in gaming



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 ###   Climate action research       

 

- Art as a tool to build community resilience in the face of climate impacts
- Creative climate justice: using creative practices to address inequities and injustices exacerbated by climate change
- Decolonial and Indigenous approaches in creative climate justice



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 ###   Colour trends/theory       

 

- How colours affect emotions and behaviour
- Pantone colour of the year
- Sustainable and natural dyes



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 ###   Comic books       

 

- Diversity and representation in comic books
- Comics as educational tools
- Comic books that tackle social and environmental issues



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 ###   Cultural appropriation       

 

- With respect to Indigenous culture
- Respectful cultural exchange vs appropriation
- Globalization and cultural exchange



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 ###   Current art scene/exhibitions       

 

- Current, popular exhibitions in Toronto
- Up-and-coming art scene in Toronto
- Latest art exhibitions on the international stage



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 ###   Creative writing/poetry       

 

- Current trends/styles
- Impact of AI and social media
- Popularity of spoken word events



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 ###   Design and systems thinking/social innovation design       

 

- Design solutions and technologies that can reduce food waste, from smart packaging to food-sharing apps
- Applications in business (how companies use design thinking to innovate products, improve services, enhance customer experiences.)
- Role of design thinking in developing patient-centred healthcare solutions



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 ###   Digital futures       

 

- Wearable Technology
- Virtual reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR)



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 ###   Drawing       

 

- Impact of digital drawing tablets, apps, software
- Benefits of drawing for cognitive development and creativity
- Techniques and styles



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 ###   Environmental design       

 

- Eco-friendly installations (using sustainable materials or processes)
- Sustainable architecture: buildings designed with sustainable materials and energy-efficient technologies
- Designers/artists who draw inspiration from the natural world to create sustainable works.



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 ###   Fashion       

 

- Innovation in sustainable fabrics
- Indigenous fashion
- Wearable art pieces
- Wearable Technology



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 ###   Film/video       

 

- Video art installations in galleries and public spaces
- Advances in special effects
- Impact of VR and AR on storytelling and audience engagement



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 ###   Furniture design       

 

- Sustainable furniture design (eco-friendly materials and processes)
- Innovative and unconventional materials (recycled plastics, reclaimed wood)
- Technological advancements, such as 3D printing



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 ###   Graphic design       

 

- Impact of graphic design on brand identities
- Graphic design in activism and advocacy
- The art and science of typography



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 ###   Design for health       

 

- Designing healthcare environments that prioritize patient comfort, safety and healing
- Advances in medical device design to improve treatment outcomes and patient experiences
- Opportunities in designing remote patient care



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 ###   Housing instability/design solutions       

 

- Emergency and transitional housing designs
- Impact of technology on housing; the use of data analytics
- Supportive housing designs for people with disabilities



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 ###   Immersive/interactive art       

 

- Technological innovations: virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR)
- The role of audience participation
- Impact on traditional art forms



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 ###   Inclusive design       

 

- Universal design in public spaces
- Consumer products
- Cultural perspectives



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 ###   Industrial design       

 

- Creating products accessible to people of all abilities
- Innovations in assistive technology
- Integration of IoT (Internet of Things) technology into everyday products, enabling connectivity, data collection and enhanced user experiences.



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 ###   Interior design       

 

- Trends, i.e. nature-inspired (biophilic) design, i.e. plant walls, using colours that are found in nature
- Interior design using sustainable materials and eco-conscious practices
- Designing spaces that prioritize mental and physical well-being



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 ###   Public art/urban art       

 

- Public/urban art in downtown Toronto
- The legacy of colonialism in public art
- Community engagement



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 ###   Street art and graffiti       

 

- Evolution of graffiti as an art form
- Graffiti as protest and activism
- Legal and ethical implications