Department of Applied Design

Education

• Ed.D. in Instruction and Administration (Instructional Systems Design), University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY
• M.S. in Industrial Technology (Technical Graphics / New Product Development / Human Factors), Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN
• B.S. in Engineering Design Graphics Technology (CAD/CAM, 2D/3D Machine Design), East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN

Teaching and Research Interest(s)

• Digital Design & Fabrication (DigiFab): Applied digital design, 3D CAD/CAM for product design, rapid prototyping, 3D printing, laser cutting, and CNC machining. Exploring hands-on digital fabrication initiatives, laboratory development, and course integration (AppState DigiFab).
• Pedagogy & Learning Environments: Project-based learning (PBL), active learning, STEAM integration, and MakerSpace/Maker Movement technology integration in higher education.
• Sustainability & Ecological Design: Environmental stewardship, ecological design, and visualizing sustainability through data-driven interactive installations.
• Interactive Media & Instructional Narratives: Mixed-methods research on instructional narratives, interactive simulations, and human-centered design.
• Educational Development & Instructional Design (CETLSS): Serving as an Educational Development Specialist in the Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning for Student Success (CETLSS). Supporting faculty across multiple colleges in course design, pedagogical development, and the integration of active learning and technology in teaching

Professional Affiliation(s) (some past and present) 

• Authorized Rhino Trainer (Certified)
• ACM/SIGGRAPH – Association for Computing Machinery / Graphics Special Interest Group
• ACSA – Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture
• AECT – Association for Educational Communications and Technology
• AERA – American Educational Research Association
• E-Learning Guild
• Industrial Designers Society of America (IDSA)
• SME – Society of Manufacturing Engineers

Publication(s) and/or Exhibition(s)

• Elaver, R., & Eggers, D. (2025). "Bridging Craft and Industrial Processes in Beginning Design Education: An Experiential Approach." National Conference on the Beginning Design Student (NCBDS)
• Oxford, T., Eggers, D., Dewey, G., & Elaver, R. (2025). "Future Ready Collaborations: Digital Innovation in Cultural Spaces." Museum Computer Network (MCN) Annual Conference.
• Elaver, R., & Eggers, D. (2023). "DigiFab: A Model for Interdisciplinary Collaboration in Digital Fabrication at Appalachian State University." Construct 3D Conference, NYU Tandon, Brooklyn, NY,
• App DigiFab Faculty Group. (2022). "Transformations." Turchin Center for the Visual Arts, Boone, NC, Nov. 2022 – May 2023. Group exhibition, artist talks, and panel discussion on digital design and fabrication
• Luhan, G., Eggers, D., Peters, B., Wit, A., & Hartman, A. (2015). "Hands on Pre-Conference Workshop: Making Sustainability Visible Through Collaborative Intelligence Data Driven Installations." eCAADe 33rd Annual Conference, Vienna, Austria.
• Mazur, J., Eggers, D., & Stone, G. (2014). "Building the Future: A Mobile FabLab for Next-Gen Appalachian Kentucky Education Makers Moving in the Eastern Kentucky Mountains." Proceedings of FabLearn 2014, Stanford University, Stanford, CA.
• Roselli, R., Giorgio, T., Eggers, D., et al. (2001). "Computer-based educational granule development within the VaNTH ERC." FASEB Journal, 15(5).
• U.S. Patent #4,920,432: "System for random access to an audio video data library with independent selection and display at each of a plurality of remote locations" (Co-Inventor).

Something Fun

• When not in CETLSS collaborating with faculty in the classroom or lab, I regularly enjoy mountain biking, snowboarding, white water kayaking/rafting, and sailing with family and/or dogs. I previously held a USCG Captain’s License and served as Vice Commodore of the Cave Run Sailing Association in KY.
• I like boats.

Selected Works

• CETLSS Bio Profile:cetlss.appstate.edu/derek-eggers
• AppState DigiFab Initiative:sites.google.com/appstate.edu/appstate-digifab
• LinkedIn Profile:https://www.linkedin.com/in/derekeggers/