11/06/2025
Transformation has taken on distinct meanings across fields of thoughts and industries.
In adult education, “transformative learning,” as coined by Jack Mezirow, is “a complex process involving a change in the way a person views a problem and how expectations affect the way a person thinks, feels, and behaves.” In other words, transformation is an internal shift that changes how an individual interacts with the world.
In business, transformation is defined as a change of business operations in a way that improves efficiency, streamlines workflows, and increases ROI.
A subset of business transformation is digital transformation, which, per IBM’s definition, integrates digital technology across an organization to modernize processes and drive rapid, consumer-focused innovation.
In the Built Environment, transformation is often seen as a collective, industry-wide shift toward sustainability and carbon neutrality. According to Bauhaus Earth, this transformation includes “a systemic shift in the building life cycle, from fossil-based linear extractivism towards regenerative, circular urban economies and bio-based building.”
Which one of these perspectives resonates the most with you? Have you experienced or been a part of any of these transformations? Share your thoughts in the comments!
To continue the discussion on transformation, we invite you to join us at the Design Futures Council Leadership Summit in La Jolla in January 2026 to explore Parallel Paths to Transformation. Register using this link: https://www.di.net/futures/events/2026-events/lajolla/
