College of Fine Arts Research Profiles

Rogal's work focuses on the relationship between culture and design and how we can leverage the potential of design, broadly defined, to positively shape the human experience.The majority of her research is situated in Mexico, where she explores and analyzes the visual representation of indigenous cultures; works on entrepreneurial projects with indigenous cooperatives; and develops design materials and products with indigenous constituencies that aid in demystifying and breaking down stereotypes. Her projects continue to become more interdisciplinary and she uses design as a conduit to work in areas of intercultural communication, cultural anthropology, environmental ecology, technology, globalization, entrepreneurship, and sustainability. In addition to working with scholars, students, and government officials, she works with members of organizations in rural communities to support social and economic development.

Rogal was awarded a Fulbright-García Robles Scholar grant (2006–2007) and a Fulbright-Hays Faculty Research Abroad grant (2007) to conduct research in the Yucatán region of Mexico and teach in the Social Communication program at the Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán (www.uady.mx).

I direct the Design for Development initiative, a program to explore how design--in all of its many manifestations--can play an important role in fostering economic, cultural, and social development and change.To this end, we use design thinking, concepts, methods, processes, and products to engage its power and potential for the social good. In partnership with marginalized indigenous communities in Mexico, we focus on projects that have rich opportunities for innovation, development, empowerment and a positive community impact.