By Jimmy Zwane
Published: 16 October 2025
Dr Schalk van Staden, a lecturer in the Department of Visual Communication at Tshwane University of Technology’s Faculty of Arts and Design, was awarded a Doctor of Art and Design degree during TUT’s Spring graduation on 16 October. His doctoral research broadens design knowledge by exploring everyday design through a human-centred lens, reinforcing his commitment to user-focused approaches in design.
Dr van Staden brings a wealth of practical experience as a design practitioner, consultant, and award-winning game-character designer—he is also a member of the international PUBG Creative Team. Academically, he has held acting leadership roles and contributed extensively to design scholarship, including conference participation, peer reviewing, and curriculum development across multiple institutions.
His PhD dissertation, titled An Adapted Epistemology of Design: The Exploration of The Everyday, was supervised by Dr Selma Schiller and Dr Herman Botes. The research proposes a novel framework that expands traditional design epistemologies by centering on diverse everyday contexts and human experiences.
Dr van Staden explains that his framework identifies ten distinct design epistemologies, each adapted to address the complexities of everyday life through a human-centred approach. This meta-perspective bridges philosophy, sociology, and design practice, offering designers deeper insights into how their work impacts individuals, communities, and the environment.
The framework encourages design practitioners to incorporate philosophical reflection and social awareness into their work, fostering more inclusive and transformative outcomes. It also provides educators and students with new tools to rethink design’s role in society, emphasizing connections between humans, nature, and social dynamics.
Reflecting on the significance of the journey, Dr van Staden stresses the importance of a strong, respectful relationship with supervisors throughout the doctoral process. “The journey can feel isolating, but good supervision makes it like hearing your favourite song on a long road trip—everything becomes easier,” he says.
For fellow academics considering or engaged in doctoral studies, he offers this advice: stay connected to your purpose, be consistent in your efforts, manage your time wisely, ask questions freely, and persist through challenges.
Dr van Staden’s research interests focus on reimagining design philosophy and practice to better serve everyday human needs and to transform design education. He highlights the critical role of research in the arts for driving innovation, cultural understanding, and societal progress.
Looking ahead, he hopes to apply his adapted epistemology framework across various social and design contexts, influence design education, and pursue a professorship.
