A new lecture series at the Rice Design Alliance invites everyone to see “how good but affordable design has changed not just what we buy, but what we have come to expect from new products.” Admittedly, I’ve already missed the first one, but I think it might be worth it to take in the rest.
Found via the Houston Chronicle:
Lecture examines good design and consumer expectations
Remember life before Target?When most of us couldn’t afford Michael Graves teapots with whimsical spouts. When designer clothes by Isaac Mizrahi had designer price tags. When cute but cheap kitchen utensils and snazzy, low-cost lamps were way too hard to find, particularly in the same store.
Over the past 10 or 15 years, design arrived in mainstream America. It came courtesy of Target, IKEA, and other companies that work hard to keep costs low and creativity high.
A lecture series at the Rice Design Alliance, running Wednesday evenings from Jan. 17 to Feb. 7, takes a look at this mass-market phenomenon. The former design director of IKEA, along with principal players from Wallpaper magazine, Michael Graves Design Group and Nike, will discuss how good but affordable design has changed not just what we buy, but what we have come to expect from new products.
[snip]
Design Goes Mainstream
What: Lecture series sponsored by Rice Design Alliance
When and Who: 7 p.m. Wednesdays, Jan. 17-Feb. 7
- Suzanne Trocmé, special projects editor, Wallpaper magazine, Jan. 17
- Donald Strum, partner, Michael Graves Design Group, Jan. 24
- Lars Engman, University College director, HDK, School of Design and Crafts at Göteborg, formerly design director of IKEA, Jan. 31
- Byron Merritt, creative director for Consumer Experience, Nike Global Brand Design, formerly practice leader of IDEO, Feb. 7
Where: Brown Auditorium, Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, 1001 Bissonnet (enter via the Main Street door)
Cost: For series: $30; $20 RDA, MFAH members; $15 seniors; $10 students with ID. Single tickets: $10; $7 RDA, MFAH members; $5 seniors; $3 students with ID.
Information: 713-348-4876
