ID [PNW]

“So many of the designers that we interview don't know how to make stuff, because workshops in design schools are expensive and computers are cheaper. That's just tragic, that you can spend four years of your life studying the design of three dimensional objects and not make one.” - Jony Ive "Design Education is Tragic Says  Jony Ive" This is the quote from Apple industrial designer Jonathan Ive being shared this past week.  You can read the full article about his recent talk in the UK. As a design educator I have two different responses, one is to the content of his message and secondly to the messenger that it is coming from. First off, the statement is a broad generalization of every design school in the world, which is unfair.  Design schools are quite different from each other, each with it own focus and philosophy of educational methodology. Although this generalization is his perception based on the portfolios that he has seen.  And when on...

See Teague: Design + Beauty at the San Diego Design Film Festival this weekend! The only screening will be on Saturday, October 11, 2014 at 2pm at the Reading Cinemas Gaslamp 15 Theater, 701 5th Ave, San Diego, CA 92101 .  Buy your tickets in advance since it only holds 130!  I... I mean... the filmmaker/director/writer will be there for a Q + A session. Teague: Design + Beauty is a biography of the life and work of the American designer, Walter Dorwin Teague.   Walter Dorwin Teague was one of greatest American designers of the machine age. Among his hundreds of designs, were the Kodak Brownie cameras, the Kodak Bantam Special, Texaco’s art deco gas stations, the Polaroid desk lamp, Steuben glassware, the Marmon 16 automobile, Sparton radios, and pavilions of the 1939 New York World's Fair. Through hand-drawn illustrations, photographs, product designs, interviews, narrative, animation and film, Morris’ historical documentary uncovers the mysteries of...

The Alamo Drafthouse Ritz in Austin Texas. Photo by J. Morris The documentary about Walter Dorwin Teague, titled “Teague: Design & Beauty,” debuted on Thursday, Aug. 14 at the Alamo Drafthouse Cinema in Austin, Texas as part of the Industrial Designers Society of America (IDSA) International Conference. IDSA took over the theatre that night.  photo by Tim Adkins. Entering in the lobby. The poster looked sweet printed, by the way. Photo by Tim Adkins.  Four screenings were held on two different screens, with an estimated 400 in attendance! Answering question after the show.  Photo by Tim Adkins.  After each showing, I had time to answer questions about the movie. It was an even better response than I thought!  Two writers posted reviews the next day: "Live a Great Story" by Chris Ross "Teague thought big and wasn’t afraid of change. He paved his own path and didn’t compromise. " New Biographical Documentary Captures the Spirit ...

Winner’s Announcement/ Furniture Design for the Community Western Washington University - Industrial Design Six judges have reviewed and selected their favorites among 21 furniture designs. The project was part of the sophomore course, Sophomore ID studio 2, led by Associate Professor Jason Morris. The objective was to design and construct a unique furniture solution for a community non-profit organization for their current needs. The furniture will be then given to that organization as a gift. Mount Baker Products has generously donated all of the high quality FSC hardwood plywood for the project and has also donated $6000 for scholarships for the winners. Student choice award $300 - Ashkon Nima of Bothell, WA. for his design of the Starlight Table, a light table for exploring biology and color for the Bellingham Childcare and Education Center.​ 5th place $500 – Zak Basher of Yelm, WA, for his DIY Utility bench designed for Habitat for Humanity. 4th place...

I just launched the Kickstarter fund raising campaign to complete the Teague documentary . Here is a short video describing the story and a preview of some the clips. This feature length documentary will tell the story of his life, his rise to prominence, his turbulent relationship with his rebellious son, and the stories behind some of his greatest designs.  The inspiring story is told through hand-drawn illustrations, photographs, product designs, interviews, narrative, animation and film. Only $3500 left to go! And 29 days to raise it. What does my contribution go towards? Everything to complete the movie and get it out to the audience. Such as voice overs, music, printing, DVDs, and film festivals. Production, I’m happy to say, is finished. And I just completed the rough cut. So, I need your help to get these last post-production tasks complete. Some of the rewards include a DVD of the movie, illustration stills, and posters. Designed by Ronald Paul Vie...