Deana McDonagh

Dr. Deana McDonagh is a Professor (Industrial Design) and Chair of Graphic Design/Design for Responsible Innovation in the School of Art + Design at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and a Health Innovation Professor for the Carle Illinois College of Medicine. In 2022 she founded the (dis)Ability Design Studio at the Beckman Institute of Advanced Science and Technology. She is an Empathic Design Research Strategist who focuses on enhancing the quality of life for all through more intuitive and meaningful products, leading to emotional sustainability. She concentrates on the emotional user-product relationships and how empathy can bring the designer closer to users’ authentic needs, ensuring both functional and emotional needs are met by products.