Themes that have motivated design in the past 25 years, including technology, the environment and urban planning, as well as the future of design, will be discussed Thursday night as part of the College of Design’s year-long 25th anniversary celebration.

Susan Szenasy, chief editor of Metropolis, a New York City-based magazine of architecture, design and culture, will present “The Next 25 Years: Changes in Design and Design Education,” at 7 p.m. in the Sun Room of the Memorial Union.

“The lecture will not just be a history lesson,” Szenasy said. “It will be about how we work and live, and about adding new ideas to the field of design.”

Szenasy said design is a factor in everyone’s life.

“Some people may not think they have an interest in design, but look at Target. A lot of people shop there, and [Target has] had some great designs lately,” Szenasy said. “Design is widely spread, and our need for it is growing … Our culture shapes design, and design shapes culture.”

Szenasy said she is impressed with ISU’s design program.

“It’s a very interesting program and it is going through some great changes right now,” Szenasy said. “I am interested to hear from students and faculty about what they think of the changes in the program.”

Heather Sauer, communications specialist for the College of Design, said Szenasy’s lecture fits in well with the curriculum change going on in the college.

“The title of her lecture says it all,” Sauer said. “This is the perfect time to have her speak since we are in the process of completely changing our curriculum.”

Szenasy’s involvement in the community of New York City will also be a point of interest, Sauer said.

“She has been heavily involved with a non-profit group that is in the process of rebuilding the World Trade Center,” Sauer said. “It is impressive that she is so involved in her community. She’s a very busy woman.”

Mark Engelbrecht, dean of the College of Design, said Szenasy is an excellent person to give a lecture on the topic of changes in design.

“It’s very appropriate that a player in the complex relationship between design and the popular culture should provide our first lecture in this celebratory series,” Engelbrecht said.