On Thursday, April 17, 2025, Asst. Prof. Nejira Mulahmetović, MA from the Visual Arts and Visual Communications Design (VACD) study program at the International University of Sarajevo (IUS) delivered a guest lecture titled “Design at the Crossroads: A Century of Globalization and What Comes Next” at Effat University in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Held via Zoom and moderated by Dr. Dina Mustafa, the lecture explored how design has responded to major global shifts — from post-war reconstruction to globalization and the digital era.
Prof. Mulahmetović addressed the growing tension between the global standardization of design and the renewed focus on local identities, raising important questions about the future direction of the field.
Events like this emphasize the importance of international collaboration between universities and design faculties, enriching academic dialogue and broadening research perspectives. Such initiatives help prepare students to engage with design challenges in a truly interconnected world.
A powerful reminder that design is both a mirror of societal change and a force that actively shapes the future.
