Mark Kimbrough, IDSA
University of Houston
Prior to joining the Industrial Department at the University of Houston, Mark was Principal of Design Edge, Inc, a product development consultancy in Austin, TX, for 17 years. During his tenure, Design Edge was consistently ranked by BusinessWeek magazine as one of the top 10 product design firms in the United States. Mark’s key role at Design Edge was in guiding the creative side of the business and assuring the aesthetic and expressive quality of all design services. Mark now applies his extensive experience in applied research, brand development, design business and practices, international manufacturing, and entrepreneurship within the academic environment.
In 2001, Mark launched Wetnōz (pronounced “wet nose”), which manufactured and distributed high-end, distinctively styled pet products. His experience generating award-winning designs led to the launch of these innovative products and worldwide distribution.
Mark holds over 25 design and utility patents, and his work has been published in numerous national and international magazines, as well as in several books highlighting notable design achievements. He also has been honored with over 35 international design awards and has had six products added to the permanent design collection at the Chicago Museum of Design and Architecture.
Mark received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Duke University, and his Masters of Product Design from North Carolina State University. He has lectured at academic institutions including the University of Texas MBA graduate school, North Carolina State University’s Industrial Design Program and the Royal College of Art.
Statement of Candidacy (Education Council – South | 2022-2023 term)
Imagination and creativity go hand-in-hand. This is abundantly clear when you observe children playing, drawing, and interacting with each other. As a designer, I long to tap into the innocent, unencumbered bliss of a child’s creativity and apply it to how we approach solving complex design problems. As a design educator, I encourage my university students to observe younger children, or siblings, to see how they tackle challenges set before them.
As a member of IDSA’s Education Council, I would explore opportunities for growing and expanding IDSA’s engagement with K12 and STEM to better promote and redefine the roll of design in education. The introduction of design thinking in K12 education could have a profound impact on our society and local communities.
