Rosanne Somerson on Designing for the Human Experience
At our Annual Meeting, studioDSK welcomed Rosanne Somerson, former RISD President, for a keynote on the human side of design—exploring how empathy, craft, and care can shape spaces that truly nurture the people they serve.
We were honored to welcome Rosanne Somerson, designer, educator, and former President of RISD, to studioDSK as a keynote speaker at our Annual Meeting. Known for her leadership in design education and her thoughtful approach to making, Rosanne brought a deeply personal and philosophical lens to the conversation.
Her talk centered around the human side of design, how spaces, objects, and systems can (and should) respond to our emotional, physical, and ethical needs. Drawing from decades of practice and pedagogy, she challenged us to look beyond aesthetics or utility, and instead to ask: Who is this for? How does it feel? What does it make possible?
The conversation touched on material sensitivity, the craft of care, and the designer’s responsibility in shaping environments that nurture rather than dictate. It was both grounding and expansive, a reminder that designing for people means designing with empathy, imagination, and a deep sense of accountability.
Rosanne’s presence left a lasting impression on our team. At studioDSK, we share her belief that design must begin with the human and environment in mind, and that our work helps people live more meaningfully, more comfortably, and more connected to the world around them.
