Marlo Ransdell

Marlo Ransdell is an Associate Professor in the Department of Interior Architecture and Design at Florida State University, serving as Creative Director of Studio D: Design and Fabrication Lab. She oversees furniture design curriculum and prototyping initiatives, teaching undergraduate and graduate courses in Furniture Design, Design Fundamentals, Research Methods, and more. Her research focuses on the creative process, technology integration in education, and rapid prototyping. Ransdell actively presents at international conferences and has received awards including the IDEC Best Paper Award (2021) and the Ralph Stair Prize for Innovative Education (2021).

Education:

• Ph.D. in Design, Construction, and Planning (Interior Design) from the University of Florida (2009)
• M.S. in Interior Design from the University of Kentucky (2004)
• B.A. in Interior Design, Magna Cum Laude, from the University of Kentucky (2002)

Research and Innovation: Ransdell’s work explores digital fabrication, virtual studios, and strengths-based graduate development. She curates exhibitions like “Digital Fabrication: The Flat Pack” and publishes on topics such as online learning communities and creative thinking in design education. Her 2019 book Creative Thinking in Online Design Education highlights her contributions to pedagogical approaches.

Awards and Recognition:

• 2024: Best in Show for Public Art Installation “Strings Attached”
• 2021: IDEC Best Paper Award and Ralph Stair Prize
• 2014: Distinguished Research Award and Professional Service Award

Advising and Leadership: As Director of Studio D, she mentors graduate students in thesis development and oversees makerspace evolution. She holds executive roles in the Council on Research and Creativity at Florida State and advocates for interdisciplinary collaboration in design education.

Labs and Teams: Central to her work is Studio D, a lab supporting furniture design and prototyping across undergraduate and graduate programs. Her initiatives bridge traditional design practices with emerging digital fabrication technologies.