Kimberly Mitchell is a graphic designer, educator, and researcher whose work centers on the intersection of design, aging, and health. As the founder of the Design for Care Lab, she leads interdisciplinary projects that promote inclusion, belonging, and accessibility across the lifespan. Her research explores how co-design, participatory methods, and age-inclusive frameworks can inform more compassionate and equitable design practices. Mitchell’s recent work includes FRED (Friendly Robot to Ease Dementia), a nationally recognized social robotics project; the Design for Aging Resource website, a curated platform for designers working with aging populations; and Designing for Our Future Selves, a hands-on workshop that bridges design and gerontology. She has received over $30,000 in internal research funding and her work has been published in peer-reviewed journals, presented at national and international conferences, and honored with multiple awards, including GDUSA Health & Wellness Design Awards and recognition from Design Incubation. Mitchell teaches across the undergraduate design curriculum, with courses that emphasize human-centered design, inclusive research methods, and real-world collaborations. Her teaching and mentorship have led students to win national design competitions and pursue graduate study in top MFA programs. She holds a Master of Fine Arts in Graphic Design and a minor in Gerontology. 

Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design, Bradley University