Symposium: Adapt/Evolve

EiSandi Kyaw, Jessica Liang, Plastics in Motion. Birch plywood, acrylic, fabric scraps, plastic bags, plastic scraps.

byACRE, Carbon Ultralight Rollator.

Adam El-Sawaf, Elaine Young, Client Co-creator: Phil Beder, Magnadapt Handheld System.

This symposium accompanies the exhibition Adapt/Evolve, on display in the Art and Design Gallery September 18–October 26, 2025. It brings together exhibitors, collaborators, and scholars to present and discuss adaptive and inclusive design.

A keynote presentation will be delivered by Grace Jun, associate professor at the University of Georgia, founding member of Open Style Lab, specializing in interdisciplinary design processes, and author of the book Fashion, Disability & Co-design (Bloomsbury Publishing 2024). In addition, the symposium will host panel discussions investigating adaptive design with invited guests and FIT faculty, students, alumni, and industry leaders such as OFS and the Adaptive Design Association. FIT alumni, who have launched their own adaptive brands, include Haley Schwartz (Vertige Adaptive), (SlickChicks), haptic device designer Keith Kirkland, and children’s sensory-wear co-founder, Kevin Santana (Comphie).

Find a full schedule and speaker bios on the symposium website.

This event is free and open to the public.