Abstract
This retrospective paper explores the profound impact of DesignX at the Stanford Center for Design Research (CDR) on engineering design research and education. Through a historical lens, the authors examine the evolution of the DesignX laboratory and its role in fostering interdisciplinary collaboration, innovative research, and team-based research by highlighting key milestones and influential projects over time. The authors also discuss the pioneering role of Stanford Professor Larry Leifer, whose leadership of CDR for much of its history shaped the practices and methodologies of engineering design from the 1980s up through the 2020s. This paper underscores the significance of Leifer’s contributions to the academic community and the enduring legacy of DesignX in advancing the field of engineering design research and education.
Keywords
design engineering, design education, design history, case study
Reference
Carleton, T., Cockayne, W., & Feland, J. (2025). The pioneering role of Stanford DesignX and legacy of Larry Leifer on the field of engineering design. In Proceedings of the Design Society : Volume 5: ICED25, 5 (pp. 3071–3080). Cambridge University Press. Presented at 25th International Conference on Engineering Design ICED25, Dallas, Aug 11-14, 2025. https://doi.org/10.1017/pds.2025.10321
