Call For Proposals

LONG PAPERS
Long papers are appropriate for finished research projects, design case studies, pedagogical innovations, and design criticism. Long papers should report original work not previously published elsewhere. Submissions must identify and cite relevant published work and explain how the paper furthers motion design education and/or impact on professional practice. Full papers will be expected to be around 4,000 to 6,000 words. Presentations of long papers are tentatively 25 minutes. Any Q&A is part of this allotted time.
 
SHORT PAPERS
Short papers are appropriate for new and emerging projects. Short papers may be installations, interactive experiences, hands-on experiences, short research-based films, and motion technologies. They may be based on games, animations, prototypes, or performances as case studies of original work or classroom assignments. The purpose of the short paper is to provide in-progress research as a platform for discussion, debate, conversation, and critique. Short papers will be expected to be around 2,500 words. Presentations of short papers are tentatively 10 minutes. Any Q&A is part of this allotted time.
 
Final paper submissions must include: a revised abstract and title, 5–7 keywords, author bio(s), paper content, and works cited in MLA format. Figures, imagery, and accompanying motion media are strongly encouraged. At least one author should plan to attend and present at MODE 2027 in person. All accepted papers will be published in the conference proceedings. A formatting guide will be provided for paper structure. Presentations of papers may be recorded and shared on our Vimeo account. 
 
WORKSHOP SESSIONS
Workshop sessions act as an extension of the conference experience, allowing attendees to be participants. They give presenters an opportunity to interact with attendees over the course of 90 minutes. Workshops can be interactive, discussion-based, and/or process driven. We invite workshop proposals that will engage participants in motion design, motion design education, or a related field of study. Please consider possible facilities and technologies that may be needed and workarounds if unavailable. Workshop conveners and descriptions are included in the proceedings, and video may be captured for online viewing at a later date.
​
ROUND TABLE
The MODE Summit Round Table Discussions are designed as focused, collaborative conversations that bring together educators, researchers, practitioners, and graduate students to explore emerging issues in motion design, design education, technology, and visual communication. Each round table will be organized around a moderator-proposed topic intended to spark critical dialogue, collective inquiry, and interdisciplinary exchange.
 

Moderators are responsible for defining and guiding the discussion topic through the submission of a proposal abstract that clearly outlines the central theme, relevant subtopics, key questions, and issues of importance to the field. Topics may address pedagogy, research methods, industry shifts, ethics, accessibility, emerging technologies, cultural perspectives, creative practice, or other areas relevant to the evolving landscape of motion and design education. Discussions should encourage participation, diverse perspectives, and the sharing of experiences, strategies, and research insights.
 

Selected moderators will facilitate the live discussion during the MODE Summit, record the conversation, and synthesize the key ideas, debates, and findings into a short follow-up paper. These papers will serve as community-generated scholarship and documentation of contemporary discourse within the field. Final papers will be published on the MODE Society Wiki on September 1, 2027, contributing to an evolving archive of ideas and research emerging from the summit community.
​
PROPOSALS SHOULD INCLUDE

• Title of Discussion

• Moderator(s) Information

• Abstract (300–500 words)
  The abstract should:

  • Define the primary topic and its relevance

  • Identify proposed subtopics and areas of discussion

  • Outline critical issues, tensions, opportunities, or challenges connected to the topic

  • Explain how the discussion will engage participants and encourage dialogue

• Preliminary Works Cited / Consulted
  Include scholarly, professional, theoretical, or industry sources that inform the proposed discussion topic. 
   

Round tables are intended to function less like traditional conference presentations and more like living laboratories of ideas: part seminar, part workshop, part intellectual campfire with laptops glowing nearby like tiny research lanterns.