Laura Vinchesi

Laura Vinchesi is an Assistant Teaching Professor at the Human-Computer Interaction Institute (HCII) within the School of Computer Science at Carnegie Mellon University (CMU). She is a recognized leader in human-centered design, with over two decades of experience spanning visual and product design in both B2C and B2B environments, as well as design thinking as a catalyst for innovation.

Her educational background includes an MFA from Cranbrook Academy of Art, where her work was honored with inclusion in the CAA Museum's loan collection. She is an alumna of the CMU School of Design, where she later returned to teach, and has also taught at the CMU Integrated Innovation Institute.

Laura’s research and professional work focus on Interaction and Experience Design, Service Design, and AI Innovation. She has played pivotal roles in shaping design strategy and infrastructure, particularly as Lead Visual & Information Designer at Seegrid, where she established a design system, design principles, and strategic product vision. As employee #1 at the LUMA Institute, she helped build the organization from the ground up, contributing to certification programs, curricular assets, marketing, and the digital platform LUMA Workplace. She co-edited and served as art director for the widely used handbook Innovating for People: Handbook of Human-Centered Design Methods.

Laura has delivered workshops and facilitated design thinking sessions for elite organizations worldwide, including the Obama White House, Singapore Design Council, Autodesk, Accenture, and Honeywell. Her expertise bridges industry practice and academic instruction, making her a vital contributor to design education and innovation.

• Award-winning work selected for the CAA Museum loan collection

Laura has advised and taught students at both undergraduate and graduate levels at CMU, designing and delivering courses in Product Design, Design Thinking, and Innovation Mindset. Though no formal grant information is listed, her work with LUMA and Seegrid reflects significant project leadership and curriculum development, indicating strong engagement in applied research and educational innovation.

She is actively involved in the HCII community, contributing to its mission of advancing human-computer interaction through design-led innovation. Her work integrates practical industry experience with academic rigor, shaping the next generation of designers and innovators.