Harvard GSD Design Discovery Virtual

2025 Program Handbook

Director’s Letter


Welcome to Design Discovery Virtual and the Harvard University Graduate School of Design (GSD)!

On behalf of our program team, we are excited to have you bring life to this program that we’ve been planning for the past year. It is your ideas and creativity that will make these weeks together enriching. This information packet is designed as a guide to Harvard GSD’s Design Discovery Virtual (DDV). Please take the time to read through all of the general information and program policies included here. Additional program details can also be found on our program website:
https://ede.gsd.harvard.edu/harvard-gsd-design-discovery-virtual/.

The next three weeks will be very lively and busy for everyone. If you need additional information, or help with something that is not covered here, please ask your studio instructor(s) or contact our program staff at [email protected].

Enjoy thinking through making and idea-sharing throughout Design Discovery Virtual. Work hard, but also enjoy yourself!

Megan Panzano

Sr. Director of Early Design Education and Lecturer in Architecture


Image of Design Discovery Virtual program participants next to three-dimensional modeling software showing a three-story home alongside an aerial map of city blocks and an image containing the title, "Cities & Climate Change."
Image containing digital design work produced by Design Discovery Virtual participants.

general information


2025 Program Dates

June 9 – June 27

Program Format
Design Discovery Virtual follows one schedule consisting of synchronous and asynchronous content. Synchronous blocks are taught live on Zoom and include tutorials, exercises, and studio work. You are required to attend synchronous sessions at the scheduled program time.

Asynchronous content is available on demand (pre-recorded tutorials and lectures. This includes time to prepare readings, assignments, and work on design projects outside of live instruction. You are free to complete asynchronous content when it best suits you, but we recommend that you set and follow your own schedule.

The content of the program includes lectures and discussions that tie the design fields to larger social concerns and to the roles they play in making a resilient, just, and beautiful world.

We aim to assign participants to design studios of no more than 10 people. Each studio is taught by instructors who guide their studio for the duration of the program. There will be opportunities to meet and share ideas with students in other studios.

Technical Requirements
A device with a stable internet connection and sufficient resources to run Zoom and access the web-based Canvas course management software is required. Rhino 3D modeling software and Adobe Creative Cloud programs are also integral to the work you’ll do. Harvard will provide all participants with licenses to use these tools for the duration of the design program.

Certificates and Evaluation
A certificate from Harvard GSD along with a written evaluation from the instructor is issued at the end of the program to those who have successfully completed the requirements. To qualify, you must submit all required work and participate fully in program content. If you are in doubt about the requirements, please consult your instructor.

Program Leads
Megan Panzano, Program Director

Shaka Dendy, Program Coordinator

Coordinating Faculty
Kira Clingen, Landscape Architecture
Jenny French, Architecture
Yun Fu, Urban Planning & Design

rules and policies


Identification Number
Participants of Design Discovery Virtual are assigned unique identification numbers referred to as HUIDs. This ID, along with your Harvard Key, gives you access to Harvard-specific services. HUIDs are intended for university purposes only and cannot be used by any other person. Every student is
responsible for their HUID and is subject to disciplinary action in case of misuse.

If you encounter issues with your HUID access to digital media software during the program, please inform your instructor and share the issues you’re facing with Harvard GSD’s Helpdesk at [email protected].

Studio Assignments
Studio assignments are carefully structured and take into account factors such as background,
design experience, and geographic location. Participants may not switch studios during the program.

Absences
Participants are allowed up to three unexcused absences. If you exceed the three-absence policy due to an illness, please contact the GSD Early Design Education (EDE) Programs Office at [email protected] as soon as possible to discuss possible accommodations.

Policy on Nondiscrimination
In accordance with Harvard University policy, the Graduate School of Design does not discriminate against any person on the basis of race, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, creed, age, national origin, ancestry, veteran status, disability, genetic information, military service, or any other legally protected basis, in admission to, access to, or
employment in its programs and activities. Every effort will be made to ensure fairness and
consistency in the school’s relations with its students, faculty, and staff.

Policy on Sexual and Gender-Based Harassment
To view the entire policy on sexual and gender-based harassment, please visit the GSD’s Policy on Personal Conduct: https://www.gsd.harvard.edu/resources/personal-conduct/#titleix

Resources
GSD Title IX Coordinators for Students:

Kelly Wisnaskas: [email protected]

Laura DaRos: [email protected]

conduct for virtual learning


The Harvard GSD is excited to welcome you to our online program, Design Discovery Virtual. Our goal is to provide a diverse group of global individuals a safe and engaging learning environment. Harvard GSD and the Design Discovery Virtual Program reserve the right to remove a participant from the program in response to disruptive or disrespectful behavior.

Expectations
Participants are expected to treat online class meetings as if attending class/studio in-person and must refrain from any behaviors that disrupt class. Participants are expected to behave professionally, treating others with courtesy and respect on camera as well as during chat conversations. Profanity or socially offensive language is not tolerated.

Online Presence
Our program is highly interactive. Participants are expected to attend all synchronous sessions, be on time, and come prepared to engage and contribute to the conversation. “Multi-tasking” during sessions can be disruptive and inhibit your ability to fully participate.

Please have your cameras on, unless discussed with instructors in advance. If not speaking, audio must be on mute. Appropriate clothing and surroundings are required.

For your safety, we ask participants to refrain from attending a session while driving or riding in a car. Participants are expected to join from a suitable, quiet location, with a device that
permits full participation in class activities.

Refrain from Photography & Recording
Participants may not take photos of the Zoom screen, record video or audio files, or post the same to social media. Your co-participants have a right to educational privacy and all content displayed in the classroom is the intellectual property of instructors and the Harvard GSD. If we plan to record a session, we will inform participants in accordance with University policy.

A Safe & Confidential Learning Space
Our virtual classrooms are safe spaces in which we encourage growth and personal reflection. We ask that you hold all conversations confidential to recognize the sensitivity of others’ comments, and we ask you to demonstrate respect for each individual’s dignity and capacity to contribute.

To see more examples of student design work and the life of this program, follow us @designdiscoveryharvardgsd on Instagram.

Teaching team Bios


Design Discovery Virtual sections are taught by graduating or advanced GSD students who have a concentration in the field they are teaching. Each section is coordinated by current Harvard GSD design faculty.

Coordinating Faculty

Architecture

Urban Planning + Design

Landscape Architecture

Program Director

Headshot of Jenny French

Jenny French

Assistant Professor in Practice of ArchitectureView Profile

Photo of Yun Fu

Yun Fu

Design Critic in Urban Planning and DesignView Profile

Headshot of a caucasian female looking at the camera

Kira Clingen

2023-2024 Daniel Urban Kiley Fellow and Lecturer in Landscape Architecture 2023-2024 Daniel Urban Kiley Fellow and Lecturer in Landscape Architecture Office for Urbanization AffiliateView Profile

Photo of a female looking at the camera and smiling

Megan Panzano

Senior Director of Early Design EducationLecturer in ArchitectureView Profile

Design Instructors

Sample Bio, MArch I
This is where instructor bios will be placed, sorted alphabetically, flowing to end of team.

Please visit our Design Discovery Virtual program webpage for more program information: https://ede.gsd.harvard.edu/harvard-gsd-design-discovery-virtual/


Follow Harvard GSD’s Design Discovery of Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn for more information!