Design is expanding in its definition and sphere of influence. Design education that has remained rooted in the craft skills has two trains of thought: the foundation that has remained consistent and the progression that is in constant change. Many say that if design has to live up to its promise then design education has to change. How can design schools lay the foundation to deliver that promise? How can or should design education prepare future designers for the expanding sphere of design influence?
This multidisciplinary research and design thesis addresses these questions by combining design research methodologies with organizational strategy concepts and tools for developing plausible future scenarios for graduate design education. The future scenarios were translated into future roles for designers: traditional designer, constructive design researcher, hybrid co-designer and systems sense maker.  The roles formed the basis for developing a framework for exploration of graduate design programs and strategic planning for design schools and universities. This framework is a starting point for a conversation about the future of graduate design education.