Design News

From Build to Define

Former Rhode Island School of Design President John Maeda, now the first design partner in Silicon Valley’s venture capital industry, says the technology industry is seeing design in a whole new way. While the world's first coders helped build the tech industry, its designers will define the industry's future.

Maeda spoke and unveiled the findings of his Design in Tech report on March 15 at the South by Southwest (SXSW) Music, Film and Interactive Festival in Austin, TX.

Apple Walks the Talk

“While last year seemed to be all about technology companies admitting they have a diversity problem, this year seems to be the time for them to finally put their money where their mouth is.” –Fortune magazine

The Future is Now

"Museums shouldn't be designed to preserve precious objects. The more heroic mission should be to preserve the information that those objects possess. It's a perfect mission for a design museum, when you think about it."

Gizmodo's Design section goes behind the scenes at Cooper Hewitt, calling it "the Smithsonian's computerized crown jewel" after the museum finished a three-year renovation and posted online, information on all of its 200,000 objects.

Design and Architecture World Mourns the Loss of a Legend

Michael Graves Architecture and Design has announced the firm’s founding principal, Michael Graves, IDSA, passed away March 12, 2015, of natural causes at his home in Princeton, NJ. He was 80.

“Since founding the firm in 1964, Michael transformed the role of architects and designers, and even the place of design in our everyday lives,” the firm has posted on its website. “We knew him as an extraordinary designer, teacher, mentor and friend.”

"A Bit Like Magic"

IDSA had plenty of support to mark its 50th anniversary and the first National Industrial Design Day on March 5, 2015, from social media to social gatherings!

We're happy to report, the congratulations are still coming in.

Here are some of our favorites from Twitter:

March 5, 2015 Marks First National Industrial Design Day

March 5, 2015 is being entered into the U.S. Congressional Record as the first National Industrial Design Day. U.S. Rep. Gerald E. Connolly declared industrial design professionals “improve our lives in every way and are worthy of our recognition.”

In the United States, product design and related services generate billions of dollars in sales and the number of U.S. awarded design patents has reached an all-time high. “The economic impact of this industry helps fuel our nation’s economy,” said Connolly.

Engines Exposed!

Through March 15 at The Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn, MI, auto enthusiasts will have a rare chance to take a peek at what sparked some of the most iconic vehicles ever to hit the road.

For the first time in five years, more than 40 vehicles in the "Driving America" exhibit have had their hoods popped. Visitors are checking out engines in vehicles including the 1956 Chevrolet Bel Air, 1948 Tucker 48 Sedan, 1936 Lincoln Zephyr and 1916 Woods Dual Hybrid Coupe.

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