Joan Love

About Joan Love

Joan Love is a senior lecturer and an artist who has experience of interior design in architectural practice. Her on-going research explores innovative, art-based approaches within the early stages of design development, currently encompassing autism-friendly environments.

Since 1988 Joan has worked as an interior designer for two large London based architecture and design practices, Austin-Smith: Lord and DEGW. After moving north in 1994, she worked as a freelance designer for Braithwaite + Jackman, Architects, Leeds, and then formed her own design practice.

Joan became a Senior Lecturer and Level Four Co-ordinator on BA(Hons) Interior Architecture + Design in 2001.

Joan’s research focus, for the last six years, has encompassed educating future designers to design environments for autistic users. This is an ongoing pedagogic project, with eight local SEND schools.

She is a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (SFHEA, 2015), a Member of Leeds Autism Research Group (LARG LAB, 2019), a Member of Interior Educators (2009) and a Member of The Chartered Society of Designers (CSD, 1988).

Current Teaching

• BA (Hons) Interior Architecture & Design
  • IAD4.1 Design Fundamentals:
    • Instruments + Tools. Drawing, Modelling, Digital.
  • IAD4.2 Sculpting Interior Space
    • Concept, Materials + Making.
  • IAD4.4 Interiors Reinvented:
    • Design Report. Research, Analysis, Innovation.
  • IAD4.5 Interiors Reinvented: 
    • Design Imagination, Experimentation, Intuition, Creativity, Ambition, Individuality.
  • IAD6.5 Spaces Re-imagined:
    • Design Culmination. Major Design Project Part Three.

Research Interests

Joan has contributed towards The National Autistic Societies, Network Autism, Knowledge base. Please read her latest article, Tips for creating autism-friendly school environments.

Recent experimental research uncovers new information in the form of ‘10 spatial transitioning platforms’ relating to behaviour-informed design.

Current research involves the cross-disciplinary inputs of a sensory integration practitioner and a positive behaviour analyst. The advancement of designing for autism is at the centre of the research, assisting future professionals to create responsive spatial environments.

Related News

• Top design award for Leeds Beckett student
• Student turns former Leeds library into Political Playground
• Student's shipwreck design scoops top prize

Blog Articles

• Autism-Friendly Design: Learning about Real Life through the Virtual Environment
• Autism & Behavioural Design: Inter-Disciplinary Knowledge Sharing Session.
• Autism-friendly design recommendations incorporated into ‘The National Autistic Societies’ knowledge base
• Interior Architecture Alumni
• Our Interior Architecture Students are Learning from Practising Architects and Interior Designers