Ben Van Dyke

Ben Van Dyke’s intellectual journey embodies the very essence of Benevolent Flux — finding profound meaning in the embrace of uncertainty and the productive tension between order and chaos. His work interrogates the intersections of complexity, uncertainty, and social transformation, demonstrating how patterns and chaos manifest across both natural systems and socio-political structures. This theoretical foundation aligns seamlessly with Van Dyke’s notion of flux as a generative force.

His evolution from a persistent wanderer to tenured professor embodies the transformative potential of volatility. There, he leverages pedagogical frameworks that position design practice as a catalyst for social justice and ethical inquiry. His decade of leadership at DesignInquiry has supported this approach, translating theoretical frameworks into tangible impact through international exhibitions, lectures, and workshops across five continents.

Ben earned his BFA from Kendall College of Art & Design and an MFA from the Stamps School at the University of Michigan. After grad school, Ben was a Fulbright Fellow in The Netherlands where he was the designer-in-residence at NLXL followed by tenured faculty positions at SUNY Buffalo and Michigan State University.