Paper at the NORDES conference

We have published a conference paper in the NORDES 2025 Proceedings. Wenqi Zheng, Mauricio Mejía, and Catalina Cortés co-authored this paper on how the industry is demanding facilitation skills based on an analysis of job postings in the US. It is free access here.

Design facilitation skills: Discrepancies between research focus and industry needs in US job postings

Abstract: In design, designers often act as facilitators, helping cross-functional teams capture, evaluate, and integrate diverse ideas to create improved products. While the broader application of facilitation has been extensively explored, the specific demand for design facilitation in the industry remains understudied. This study bridges the gap by exploring the call for design facilitation in the U.S. job market. Through a content analysis of job postings and a novel approach for tracking skill trends over time, we identify key design facilitation-related skill employers seek, uncovering four patterns. We also discuss implications for design education, proposing curriculum changes to better prepare students for evolving roles. This study provides practical insights for educators and students to align curricula with industry needs and enhance skill development initiatives. This study also provides important insights for relational design, emphasizing effective relationship management in modern design practice.