Common Ground is a one-day symposium for anyone shaping how design gets learned, practiced, and passed on. Whether you teach a class, lead a studio, mentor a junior designer, or are a student figuring out what kind of designer you want to become, you’re helping build the culture of our field, and this is a day to think together about what that culture could become. Making design more just is one thing; keeping it that way is another. Through keynotes, panels, and open conversation, we’ll explore how inclusive, liberatory practices can take root and last in classrooms, studios, and institutions, even amid burnout, backlash, and shrinking resources. Students are at the heart of this conversation, not just as future designers but as people already reshaping the field, and their voices are part of the program alongside established practitioners and educators. The day opens with keynotes by Ramon Tejada and Amy Papaelias. Panelists include Cheryl D. Miller, nicole killian, Luciana McClure, KC Councilor, Chris Sancomb, Alex Heard, and more. We’ll close with a social gathering to keep the conversation going. Join us on Friday, November 6, 2026, at the University of Connecticut’s Department of Art + Art History, presented in partnership with Southern Connecticut State University and AIGA Connecticut. ​