** Design software firm Autodesk's ADSK.O shares rise 1.7% to $264.32 premarket

** Activist investor Starboard says board change is necessary at ADSK and it intends to nominate a minority slate of experienced director candidates for election at the 2025 annual meeting

** "We remain open to engaging with Autodesk to reach a constructive solution," Starboard says in a letter

** ADSK did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment

** In February, ADSK said it would reduce its workforce by about 9%, representing roughly 1,350 employees

** Starboard had built a stake in ADSK valued at more than $500 mln and said in June last year that it planned to push for changes to the board due to concerns about co's performance and its handling of an accounting probe

** Up to last close, ADSK up ~2% over the past 12 months

(Reporting by Jaspreet Singh in Bengaluru)

((Jaspreet.Singh@thomsonreuters.com ; https://twitter.com/i_jass))