Bio
Natalie Yates is an Associate Professor of Landscape Architecture at Ball State University. She has a Master of Landscape Architecture from Louisiana State University, Master of Arts in Russian and East European Studies from University of Illinois Urbana - Champaign, and Bachelor of Arts in Art and Russian Language from Cornell College. Her scholarly work is situated at the intersection of representation and analysis of landscape systems. Her research focuses on dynamic landscape illustration and simulation, sensing methods in design process (including DIY sensing technologies, UAVs [drones], and GIS), post-industrial landscape remediation, energy landscapes, and urban agriculture.
In 2020-2021, Natalie was Ball State University's University Design Research Fellow for Exhibit Columbus: New Middles. Her design research proposal and installation entitled “Calibrate” was exhibited during Exhibit Columbus: New Middles in Fall 2021. Natalie has published research at the Association for Computer Aided Design in Architecture (ACADIA) and co-authored the book Modeling the Environment: Techniques and Tools for the 3D Illustration of Dynamic Landscapes (John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 2012). As part of her work, Natalie studies the impact of renewable energy landscapes and creates visualizations for off-shore wind farm research and development.
Natalie is the Graduate Program Director for the Landscape Architecture program, co-director of the Land Design Institute, and teaches design studios, design communication, time-based media/technology methodologies, and UAS [drone] technologies. She is also the president of the Board of Directors of Farmished, a local non-profit that is working to transform a former machine foundry site in south Muncie.
Education
- (2009) Master of Landscape Architecture, Robert Reich School of Landscape Architecture, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA.
- (2001) Master of Arts – Russian and East European Studies, Certificate in Gender Studies in International Development, College of Liberal Arts & Sciences, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois, USA.
- (1997) Bachelor of Arts - Art / Russian, Cornell College, Mount Vernon, Iowa, USA.
Professional Registration
Remote Pilot Certification, Federal Aviation Administration, 2018-present
Professional Experience
- (2024-present) Associate Professor, Department of Landscape Architecture, College of Architecture and Planning, Ball State University, Muncie, Indiana, USA.
- (2017-2024) Assistant Professor, Department of Landscape Architecture, College of Architecture and Planning, Ball State University, Muncie, Indiana, USA.
- (2010-2017) Assistant Professor of Landscape Architecture, College of Architecture, Sam Fox School of Design & Visual Arts, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri, USA.
- (2010) Research Fellow, Coastal Sustainability Studio, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA.
- (2009) Adjunct Lecturer, Robert Reich School of Landscape Architecture, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA.
Major Research and Teaching Emphasis
- Design Communication, Representation and Visualization
- Time-based Media and the Design Process – 3D Modeling, Animation and Simulation
- Landscape Analysis and Sensing Methods
- Responsive / Catalytic Design
- Post-Industrial, Energy, and Urban Agricultural Landscapes
Grants and Awards
- ASPiRE Junior Faculty Creative Arts Grant. 2022-2023. Awarded by Ball State University, Muncie, IN for "Calibrate: A drawing apparatus for interpreting environment data."
- University Research Design Fellowship. 2020-2021. Exhibit Columbus New Middles Design Symposium & Exhibition, Columbus, Indiana, USA
- ASPiRE New Faculty Grant. 2017. Awarded by Ball State University, Muncie, IN for “UAVs in Responsive Design.”
- Creative Research Grant. 2018. Awarded by Sam Fox School of Design & Visual Arts, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO for “Activating Capacities” with P. Heyda and C. Yogiaman.
- Professional Honor Award, Research Category. 2011. American Society of Landscape Architects [ASLA] for “Backyard Farm Service: A Business Plan for Localizing Food Production” with B. Cantrell, A. Chang, P. Michaels.
Recent Research and Publications
- Yates, Natalie. 2021. “Calibrate” [Juried Design Research Project] for Exhibit Columbus: New Middles 2020-2021, installation Fall 2021.
- Yates, Natalie. 2018-present. Farmished: Urban Agriculture Training Farm [Design Research] transformation of a local post-industrial landscape, on-going.
- Yates, Natalie. 2021. “Becoming Farmished” [Peer Reviewed Abstract] 100+1 Resilience conference, Council of Educators in Landscape Architecture [CELA]; Santa Ana Pueblo, NM.
- Yates, Natalie. 2021. “Visualizing in 360 Degrees” [Peer Reviewed Abstract] 100+1 Resilience conference, Council of Educators in Landscape Architecture [CELA]; Santa Ana Pueblo, NM
- Yates, Natalie; and Hunt, Martha. 2020. “Drones in Design Education: Reconnecting with Site and Kolb’s Experiential Learning Theory” [Peer Reviewed Abstract] International Technology, Education and Development Conference [INTED]; Valencia, Spain.
- Yates, Natalie; and Ellery, Peter. 2019. “Drones In (and Out of) the Classroom: Experiences and Outcomes of a UAS Technologies Course and Beyond” [Peer Reviewed Abstract and Presentation of Research] Engaged Scholarship conference, Council of Educators in Landscape Architecture [CELA]; Sacramento, CA.
- Yates, Natalie; and Ellery, Peter. 2019. “Using Drones in Landscape Architecture: Project Processes, Outcomes and Significance” [Peer Reviewed Abstract and Presentation of Research] Engaged Scholarship conference, Council of Educators in Landscape Architecture [CELA]; Sacramento, CA.
- Yates, Natalie. 2019. “Fieldwork and the Possibility of Drones” [Peer Reviewed Abstract] Design Principles & Practices Conference; St. Petersburg, Russia.
- Yates, Natalie. 2018. “Beyond the Visual: Evaluating Videography in Design Pedagogy,” [Peer Reviewed Abstract and Presentation of Research] Transforming the Discussion conference, CELA; Blacksburg, Virginia.
- Yates, Natalie. 2016-present “UAVs in Responsive Design”, on-going research in aerial videography and landscape analysis.
- Yates, Natalie. 2016. “Integrating Time-based Media in the Design Process” [Peer Reviewed Abstract, Presentation of Research and film screening] Dilemma: Debate conference, CELA; Salt Lake City, Utah.
- Yates, Natalie; and Heyda, Patricia. 2015. “Activating Energy Capacity of Urban Vacant Land in St. Louis” [Peer Reviewed Abstract and Presentation of Research] incite Change | Change insight conference, CELA; Manhattan, Kansas.
- Yates, Natalie and Cantrell, Bradley. 2012. Modeling the Environment: Techniques and Tools for the 3D Illustration of Dynamic Landscapes. John Wiley & Sons, Inc. ISBN 978-0-470-90294-3.
- Yates, Natalie and Cantrell, Bradley. 2009. “Abstraction Language, Digital / Analog Dialogues” ACADIA Conference Proceedings 2009, Chicago, IL.
- Yates, Natalie; with Barnett, Rod, et al. 2019. “The Skylark Project” [design research exhibition] at Riverlands, Missouri.
Professional Social Media