Alex Lobos
Professor
School of Design
College of Art and Design
585-475-7417
Office Location
Alex Lobos
Professor
School of Design
College of Art and Design
Bio
Alex Lobos focuses in design, technology and emotional attachment as means to elevate quality of life. He is Professor and Graduate Director of Industrial Design at Rochester Institute of Technology, in upstate New York. He is also a Visiting Fellow Emeritus at software company Autodesk, exploring the future of learning. Alex’s research covers several areas, including emotional design, sustainability, computer-aided design and interdisciplinary collaboration. These efforts have been funded by companies such as Autodesk, AT&T, Colgate-Palmolive, General Electric, Kraft, Makerbot, Staples, Stryker, Sun Products, Unilever and Wegmans. He lectures and teaches frequently throughout Europe, Asia, North and Latin America. Alex is recipient of the Eisenhart Award, RIT’s highest recognition for teaching excellence. He is member of the Advisory Council for Autodesk University, has been a juror for the International Design Excellence (IDEA) Awards, Core77 Awards and the Ibero-American Design Biennial, and has also worked as industrial designer for General Electric. Alex was born in Guatemala, where he started his career as industrial designer, and in 2002 moved to the U.S. as a Fulbright scholar. He holds a MFA from the University of Notre Dame and a BID from Universidad Rafael Landivar. He loves playing drums, long-distance running, and spending time with his family.
585-475-7417
Areas of Expertise
Industrial Design
Sustainable Design
Graphic Design
User-centered Design
Access/Healthcare Technology
Product and Service Design
Design Research
3D Printing
Computer-aided Design
Generative Design
Neurodiversity
Select Scholarship
Invited Keynote/Presentation
Lobos, Alex and Daniela Steinsapir. "A Collaborative Framework for Role-based Credentialing Systems." AMPS Teaching Learning Research Conferecene. University of Manchester. Manchester, UK. 5 Dec. 2020. Conference Presentation.
Lobos, Alex. "Disenando el Futuro." Festival Vertice. Universidad Rafael Landivar. Guatemala, Guatemala. 7 Sep. 2020. Keynote Speech.
Lobos, Alex. "Design and Identity." Lens. Advanced Design. Chicago, IL. 29 Jul. 2020. Guest Lecture.
Lobos, Alex. "Digital Tangible." UFM Design Week. Universidad Francisco Marroquin. Guatemala, Guatemala. 15 Feb. 2019. Keynote Speech.
Lobos, Alex. "Diseño Generativo: Combinando naturaleza y tecnología." Bienal Iberoamericana de Diseño. DI Madrid. Madrid, Spain, Spain. 28 Nov. 2018. Lecture.
Lobos, Alex. "Diseñando Tradiciones, Tecnología y Durabilidad." Jornadas del Diseño. Universidad Rafael Landivar. Guatemala, Guatemala. 8 Sep. 2016. Keynote Speech.
Lobos, Alex. "Life, Behavior and Death in Sustainable Design." Fabrica Design Research Centre. Fabrica Design Research Centre. Treviso, Italy. 20 Jan. 2016. Lecture.
Lobos, Alex. "Sustainability and Emotional Attachment in Design at RIT." University of Ferrara. University of Ferrara. Ferrara, Italy. 26 Jan. 2016. Lecture.
Lobos, Alex. "Integrating Design and Emotion." 5th International Conference UDESIGN. Universidad de Monterrey. Monterrey, Mexico. 3 Mar. 2014. Conference Presentation.
Lobos, Alex. "Design, Emotion and Sustainability." Workshop on Emotional Design. Pontificia Universidad Catolica del Peru. Lima, Peru. 24 Mar. 2014. Keynote Speech.
Frear, Lorrie, Alex Lobos, and Sandra Turner. "A Model for Trans-Disciplinary Collaboration in Packaging Design." International Conference on Design Principles and Practices. University of California Los Angeles. Los Angeles, CA. 21 Jan. 2012. Conference Presentation.
Lobos, Alex. "Connecting Sustainability and Design." Workshop on Sustainable Design. National Taiwan University of Science and Technology. NTUST, Taipei, Taiwan, CH. 4 Aug. 2011. Keynote Speech.
Invited Article/Publication
Lobos, Alex. "Advanced Direct Modeling in T-Splines and Parametric Design." Autodesk University. (2020). Web.
Shows/Exhibits/Installations
Lobos, Alex. Spiral Table Lamp. 25 Nov. 2020. Ibero American Design Biennial, Madrid, Spain. Exhibit.
Published Conference Proceedings
Lobos, Alex, Stan Rickel, and Felipe Castañeda. "Tangible sketching with 3D printing." Proceedings of the International Design Conference & Education Symposium. Ed. IDSA. Chicago, IL: n.p., 2019. Web.
Lobos, Alex. "Applying Generative Systems to Product Design." Proceedings of the Generative Art Conference, Italy. Ed. Celestino Soddu and Enrica Colabella. Rome, Italy: n.p., 2019. Print.
Lobos, Alex and Keqing Song. "Innovative Designs and Procedural Patterns with Fusion 360 and Maya." Proceedings of the Autodesk University. Ed. Autodesk. Las Vegas, NV: n.p., 2019. Web.
Lobos, Alex. "Advanced Rendering in Fusion 360: Photorealistic Visual Storytelling." Proceedings of the Autodesk University. Ed. Autodesk. Las Vegas, NV: n.p., 2019. Web.
Lobos, Alex. "Finding Balance in Generative Product Design." Proceedings of the Norddesign 2018: Design in the era of digitalization. Ed. Simon Schutte. Linköping, Sweden, Sweden: n.p., 2018. Web.
Lobos, Alex. "Next level design workflows in Fusion 360." Proceedings of the Autodesk University. Ed. Autodesk. Las Vegas, NV: n.p., 2018. Web.
Lobos, Alex and Felipe Castaneda. "3D printers as sketchbooks: a guide to tangible iterative design." Proceedings of the Educause 2018. Ed. Educause. Denver, CO: n.p., 2018. Web.
Lobos, Alex and Tim Wood. "Statefulness and Tangible Interaction in Industrial Design Education." Proceedings of the Industrial Designers Society of America. Ed. Scott Shim. Atlanta, GA: n.p., 2017. Web.
Lobos, Alex. "Redefining Sustainability Potential in Product Design." Proceedings of the Cumulus REDO Conference. Ed. Anne Louise Bang, Mette Mikkelsen, and Anette Flinck. Kolding, Denmark, DK: Cumulus, 2017. Print.
Lobos, Alex and David Villarreal. "Organic Shapes the Easy Way: Direct Modeling in Fusion 360." Proceedings of the Autodesk University. Las Vegas, NV. Ed. Autodesk. San Francisco, CA: Autodesk, 2017. Web.
Lobos, Alex. "Beyond Death: Using Design to Transcend Life, Memories and Traditions." Proceedings of the 10th International Conference on Design and Emotion. Ed. Pieter Desmet, et al. Amsterdam, Netherlands: n.p., 2016. Web.
Lobos, Alex. "T-Splines Modeling and Photorealistic Rendering in Fusion 360." Proceedings of the Autodesk University. Ed. Autodesk. Las Vegas, NV: n.p., 2016. Web.
Lobos, Alex. "Timelessness in Product Design." Proceedings of the 9th International Conference on Design and Emotion. Ed. Juan Salamanca et.al. Bogota, Colombia: Universidad de los Andes, 2014. Web.
Book Chapter
Ryen, Erinn G., Callie W. Babbitt, and Alex Lobos. "Life cycle thinking and sustainable design for emerging consumer electronic product systems." routledge handbook of sustainable design. Ed. Rachel Beth Egenhoefer. New, York: Taylor & Francis, 2017. 148-169. Print.
Lobos, Alex. "Mending broken promises in sustainable design." Routledge Handbook of Sustainable Product Design. Ed. Jonathan Chapman. Abingdon, OX: Taylor & Francis, 2017. 145-159. Print.
Journal Paper
Lobos, Alex and Callie Babbitt. "Integrating Emotional Attachment and Sustainability in Electronic Product Design." Challenges - Special Issue: Electronic Waste 4. 1 (2013): 19-33. Web.
Provisional Patent
Colaprete, Domenico, et al. "Laundry Cleaning Product." Patent 20130326996 A1. 5 Jan. 2014.
Currently Teaching
IDDE-599
Industrial Design Independent Study
1 - 6 Credits
Industrial Design Independent Study provides students the means to study in a specialized area with an individual faculty member. With the assistance of their faculty advisers, students will propose a course of study. Students must obtain permission of an instructor and complete the Independent Study Permission Form to enroll. A 3.0 or higher GPA required.
IDDE-607
Technology Studio
3 Credits
This course explores the use of computer-aided design (CAD) and other related technologies as tools for designing, modeling, visualizing, simulating and fabricating design solutions. Emphasis is given to the combination of digital and analog technologies, and the workflows for using them effectively in design process.
IDDE-665
Experimental Studio
3 Credits
The course focuses on implementing advanced, newly developing ideas in industrial design. The specific sub-topic for this course will vary. As a result this course may be repeated. The subtopic is determined by the instructor. Potential topics may include the creation of exhibits, consumer products, sustainable design, analog and digital fabrication, furniture, interior landscapes, vehicle design, medical and healthcare design, inter-disciplinary design, etc.
IDDE-698
Industrial Design Internship
1 - 6 Credits
The Industrial Design Internship provides students the option to work in the industrial design field. Students must obtain permission of an instructor and complete the Internship Permission Form to enroll.
IDDE-699
Industrial Design Co-op
0 Credits
Cooperative Education will provide Industrial Design students with hands-on experience in their field, directly related to a student’s major with an established studio or related business. Students will need to apply for co-ops, and interview as part of the selection process, based on available positions posted by the Co-op and Career Services Office, or found through the students’ own research. In programs where co-op is a degree requirement, students must obtain permission of their program or graduate director prior to enrollment. Co-ops are typically paid work experience, and can be part-time (150-479 total hours within the term), or full-time (480+ hours within the term). Co-ops may be one or two consecutive terms - fall, spring, or summer – with department permission.
IDDE-701
Design Laboratory I
3 Credits
Design Laboratory I is part one of a studio sequence that provides a forum for discourse and experimentation in design. Critical analysis, contextual relevance and research methodologies are developed and used as a means to define the role of design and the designer in creating consequential solutions for the social, economical and environmental betterment of the global communities. Projects will extend these ideas into the practice of industrial design as a mode of understanding the relationships that exist between the user, the community and the designed artifacts. Opportunities for inter and trans-disciplinary collaborations will broaden the scope of the projects. We will design through a process of iteration and reiteration, empathic exploration, and the development of the physical artifacts. Categories of products may include: consumer goods, equipment, transportation, furniture, or packaging.
IDDE-702
Design Laboratory II
3 Credits
This course is the second of a two-course studio sequence that provides a forum for discourse and experimentation in design. Course continues the methodology established in Design Laboratory I, and extends the scope to human-centered concepts, artifacts and systems at both local and global levels. Assignments will include topics such as: responsible design practices, universal design, environmental sensibility, project management and fabrication.
IDDE-790
Thesis: Research and Planning
6 Credits
The first of a two-course thesis sequence, the focus of this course is on establishing content, planning, scheduling, and research seeking innovative solutions through the process of concept development, ideation, and in-process evaluation. Final articulation of the project is approved by a faculty committee, presented in a graduate thesis show and accompanied by a written document that addresses how the theories and methods used in the project impact the current and future state of design in society.
IDDE-799
Industrial Design Independent Study
1 - 6 Credits
Industrial Design Independent Study provides students the means to study in a specialized area with an individual faculty member. With the assistance of their faculty advisers, students will propose a course of study. Students must obtain permission of an instructor and complete the Independent Study Permission Form to enroll. **NOTE: Student must have a minimum 3.0 GPA **
IDDE-887
Industrial Design Part-Time Co-op
0 Credits
Cooperative Education will provide Industrial Design students with hands-on experience in their field, directly related to a student’s major with an established studio or related business. Students will need to apply for co-ops, and interview as part of the selection process, based on available positions posted by the Co-op and Career Services Office, or found through the students’ own research. In programs where co-op is a degree requirement, students must obtain permission of their program or graduate director prior to enrollment. Co-ops are typically paid work experience, and can be part-time (150-479 total hours within the term), or full-time (480+ hours within the term). Co-ops may be one or two consecutive terms - fall, spring, or summer – with department permission.
IDDE-890
Thesis: Implementation and Evaluation
6 Credits
The second of a two-course thesis sequence, this course focuses on continued concept development of a thesis, concluding with the implementation and retrospective evaluation of chosen design problem. Solution is presented in a public exhibition, complemented by a written articulation of how the theories and methods employed in the project impact the current and future state of design in society.
IDDE-892
Continuation of Thesis Industrial Design
0 Credits
The Industrial Design Continuation of Thesis course provides student additional semester(s) to complete their thesis research, project, and thesis document.
VCDE-701
Design History Seminar
3 Credits
This seminar focuses on a basis in the history of design, which complements the overall graduate studies in the School of Design. Interdisciplinary in nature, the course is thematic and emphasizes performance on the part of the student in dynamic dialogue on course topics. The course content focuses on subjects relative to the history and theory of design (people, processes, products, environment, culture and places), critical thinking and contextual historical issues. Students are expected to read seminal design articles, write critical essays and questions and to participate in weekly discussion groups. On-line technology is utilized in addition to slide lectures.
In the News
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March 4, 2019
![Professor and three company reps stand around table with 3D-printed gadgets]()
RIT and Autodesk sign agreement that expands collaboration across university
Rochester Institute of Technology and Autodesk, the international software company whose name is synonymous with computer-aided design (CAD) software, have signed a partnership agreement that will expand RIT’s multidisciplinary educational initiatives with Autodesk across the university.
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April 12, 2018
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Industrial design professor combines passions at RIT
Associate Professor Alex Lobos is one of the recipients of this year’s Eisenhart Award for Outstanding Teaching.
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November 10, 2020
Lobos’ lamp design included in Ibero American Design Biennial
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September 19, 2019
Professor named Visiting Fellow
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April 19, 2018
Staff and faculty recognized at Celebration of Teaching and Scholarship
Featured Work
MFA ID Thesis 2021-22
MFA ID students
Industrial Design is a discipline focused on applied knowledge and research. It aims at solving relevant user needs that benefit individuals as well as larger contexts. The MFA-ID Thesis at RIT is...
Neurodiversity Studio
MFA and BFA Junior students
To help Autistic adults in everyday activities in and around the home. Systems help users to be more organized and to perform daily tasks without getting overwhelmed, in activities related to eating,...
Checho - traditional smart hub
Alex Lobos
Checho (pronounced Ché-Chó) is a voice-controlled smart home hub that plays music, answers questions, sets lights and appliances, and performs many other tasks in and around the home. It is a design...