• Editorial
• ID news
  • Droves show up for Couchwarming
  • NextD
  • Singin' the late-night ID blues
• Showcase
  • IDology: ID, the institute formerly known as…
  • My favorite class: Advanced Communication Design
• IDers: past and present
  • New IDer: Jeff Mau
  • Past IDer: Chris Bernard
• Shout-outs
• Of interest
  • Technology spotlight: Free Conferencing
  • Dressing for cold-weather success
  • Around town: Soupbox
  • Observed links
  • Your moment of insight

Another one bites the dust

Blink, blink and we are already in the 14th week. We editors are starting to get tired of writing about how slammed we are and how busy we are with everything and how busy everyone else is and how many deadlines we have to meet; honestly, for anyone reading the newsletter from outside ID it must be quite boring and tautological. Not anymore. From now on, we are going to self-impose a rule that will keep us from boring our smart readers to death, so don't give up on us yet--we promise meaningful content for the entire ID community next year.

Speaking of next year, now that the whole school is in the middle of changes, especially administrative (Good-bye, Nora! Good-bye, Annie!), we are planning to introduce a remodeled newsletter mid-Spring semester. We are quite not ready yet to tell you what is it about but, among other changes, expect a new name that matches a tag line that Randy repeated last semester ad nauseam after a Frog presentation.

Like the rest of the student associations, the newsletter is going to partially switch leadership. Thanks to all the departing student chairs for all their hard work, and welcome to the new ones. For engageID, we welcome Jordan Fischer, who will be starting his co-tenure replacing Enric as co-editor. Mr. Fischer has been involved with the newsletter from the very beginning but was preoccupied with AWF this past year. Now, he is back with more energy than ever. We, Alex and Enric, have had a very intimate relationship for the last year while working on this and we are sure you have felt the sparks in every issue. Now that the editorial staff is bigger, we had been able to spread the love even more.

Peace, love and Insight Matrix for all!

Your divorcée editors
Alex and Enric

back to top

Droves show up for Couchwarming
by Jordan Fischer

The new Institute of Design Student Activity Board (IDSAB) Couch (formerly know as the chair) threw a get-together Friday, Dec 1st to introduce themselves. For those of you who missed it, The Couch is the expanded Chair of IDSAB. This year, there are four Chairs filling the position: Irene Chong and Erik van Crimmin will deal with external relationships, while Alex Cheek and Eric Niu will handle internal relationships. Now with four brains at the top, the Couch's stated goal is to continue improving the student experience here at ID with even more efficiency.

This get-together was their first official act, and droves showed up for it. Cynthia Lin, ID skeptic-in-residence Gabriel Biller's roommate, graced the Student Lounge with an acoustic set and inspiring sing-along. All in all, it was a great success.

"It's going to be like this from now on," said The Couch.

back to top

NextD
by Eric Niu

I went to visit a friend in New York City over Thanksgiving Break. Before I flew out, Sue Jin Kim mentioned that she had visited the welcoming people behind NextD, Garry K. VanPatter and Elizabeth Pastor, the weekend before. NextD, formally known as the NextDesign Leadership Institute, was created as an "experiment in innovation acceleration" to expand the reach of design. I figured I would see if they were open to meeting with another ID student on such short notice, and ultimately met with them on the dubiously named "Black Friday."

Since the software 'revision' metaphor has caught on as the new way to talk about things--from Business 2.0 to Web 2.0 and 3.0--VanPatter and Pastor have taken to referring to the stages of design practice as Design 1.0, 2.0, and, eventually, 3.0. Where 1.0 is applying ornamental creativity and style to a predefined product, 2.0 begins to incorporate the human-centered perspective in an attempt to reframe the way a user approaches a particular experience.

In addition, to the best of my understanding, 3.0 concerns itself with "sense-making" above all--addressing inward-facing processes and cognition in order to transform culture and behaviors. Here is where cross-disciplinary collaboration comes into play. I am reminded of my experience this past summer at the Mayo Clinic, when Ryan Armbruster told me that the ultimate goal of my project with the Department of Nursing was not really to deliver incredible concepts (though that wouldn't hurt), but to instigate a culture and process among the nursing staff enabling them to innovate upon the inpatient healthcare experience.

Will this strategy help us tackle the large, complex problems facing the world? Will we, ourselves aspiring innovators, be put out of our jobs? I'm not sure, but if we can do our part to make sense of things and help people be more thoughtful, that can't be a bad thing.

For those interested, check out the interviews with Patrick Whitney and Larry Keeley.

back to top

Singin' the late-night ID blues
by John Kestner

You never know what you'll discover in our hallowed hallways when you're working on a project late into the night. People get a little loopy and look for any way to blow off a little steam. One recent evening a couple of red-eyed students were passing around an acoustic guitar on the third floor, and an impromptu concert broke out when Yella-Foam Stan Johnson got his hands on it. For a moment out of time, the third-floor hallway melted away as ID's shop manager belted out gritty old blues tunes.

back to top

IDology is a new section that aims to dig into ID’s past and bring back all these stories and memories from alumni and professors.

IDology: ID, the institute formerly known as…
by Enric Gili Fort

When an ID professor, student, alumni, white paper or brochure talk about ID, what almost always follows its name and introduction is the fact that it was “founded as the New Bauhaus in 1937.” That, for many people, just feels fabulous, unique, and so aristocratic! This reference not only adds patina to our reputation but it also allows us to subtly boast an intellectual and historical lineage that few others can. What the glitter of this fact does not reveal is the reality: all of the transformations and adjustments ID went through in its first years while Moholoy-Nagy was in command: changes of patrons, organizational restructurings, successive changes of location, changes of names, etc.

New Bauhaus: American School of Design (October 1937 - June 1938 )

As the branding says, everything started in 1937 when a group of businessmen that belonged to the Association of Arts and Industries decided to open a design school in Chicago. Being impressed by the work that had come out from the Bauhaus in the previous decade, they decided to invite Walter Gropius to organize, start and lead the school. Unfortunately, Gropius had already accepted a job at Harvard University, but he recommended Lazlo Moholy-Nagy, a Hungarian painter and photographer who had collaborated with him at the Bauhaus in the 1920s while he was director in Weimar, Germany.

That the Bauhaus would survive seemed to be its fate. In the mid 1930s, Gropius and Moholy-Nagy had already tried to establish the English version of the Bauhaus in London but, unfortunately, were unable to secure funding to open the school.

Moholy-Nagy, delighted to be able to teach again, moved from London to Chicago with his family and established the school philosophy following that of the original Bauhaus. The school’s full name would be “The New Bauhaus: American School of Design” and it first opened its doors in a former Marshall Field mansion at 1905 South Prairie Avenue. The building was designed by Richard Morris Hunt, who also designed the pedestal of the Statue of liberty in New York.

After only one academic year, the school closed its doors because the Association withdrew its support and patronage of the school. Several versions circulate about the reason for this. While some sources mention the school being the “victim of student unrest and financial difficulties,” others cite the fact that the Association members felt that the school was too experimental.

Refoundation: “The School of Design in Chicago” ( January 1939 – 1945)

In January 1939 and only a few months after the school closed, Moholy-Nagy managed to reopen it with the help of dedicated students and teachers. With the reopening along came the adoption of a new name to differentiate it from its previous incarnation: “The School of Design in Chicago.” Its new location was in Chicago's River North neighborhood at 247 East Ontario Street in the lot of a former bakery.

Much of the School of Design's financial support came from Walter P Paepcke, an executive of the Container Corporation of America. This entrepreneur would later found the Aspen Institute and the Aspen Skiing Company. Paepcke’s involvement went beyond patronage, and he served as a mediator between the school and the Chicago business community, whose support was crucial for the success of the school even though it was not always evident to the public what was happening there. In addition to his financial and influential support, during many summers between 1939 and 1947 he offered to ID one of his properties near Somonauk, Illinois to hosted six-week summer courses. In 1940, another non-Chicago location also received a visit from ID in the form of a summer course, this time being held at Mills College in Oakland, California.

Reorganization - "Institute of Design" (1944)

The last change of the Moholy Nagy era would not come from any traumatic breakdown. This time it came from the accreditation of the school and a reorganization that was intended to free Moholoy-Nagy of the administrative charges of running the school. In order to mark the change, the name departed from its "school" denomination and evolved into Institute of Design, a name that has remained to the present day.

Even so, the pilgrimage of the school headquarters has continued. In 1945, the school stayed for six months at 1009 North State Street. That was just a small shake before ID moved to its first owned building, the former home of the Chicago Historical Society at 632 North Dearborn. ID remained there for a decade until 1956 when, after being acquired by IIT, it moved to Mies van der Rohe’s S.R Crown Hall on IIT’s south campus.

In 1946, just two years after ID´s last reshaping, Moholy-Nagy died in Chicago at the age of 51. At that time, the school still had a long way to go before it would grow and acquire its current prestige and reputation. Still, he is credited for not only setting the academic foundations of what ID is now, but also for successfully and stubbornly overcoming the difficulties ID faced in its early years. His efforts will once again be commemorated next year, when ID passes another landmark and celebrates its 70th anniversary.

back to top

My favorite class: Advanced Communication Design
by Sean Gaherty, MDes 2004

My favorite class was a Communications class by Sharon Poggenpohl that incorporated the iterative process of prototyping, testing the prototype, refining the prototype based on the test results, doing more tests, and repeating over and over. The problem we were to solve was prescription drug labeling and packaging.

The sequence of the project was:

1. We each did some user research
2. The user research for the class was pooled together
3. Each student devised a concept based on the research and worked individually for the rest of the class
4. They then worked in an iterative process of prototyping, testing and refining
5. The process continued for each student until the term ended

This class really demonstrated the value of the iterative design process:

1. in creating user centered design
2. in acquiring great data at a low cost (using friends and family as test participants)
3. in strengthening the reasons for a design because it is based on facts (test results) rather than a designer's hypothesis

This project was so good because it clearly demonstrated the power of a step of the ID design process while being possible to cover in the time available. This is a significant achievement for any class. It made me a convert to the iterative design process. I have used the concepts for my work in designing features on AutoCAD Map 3D because they are cheap and powerful - key factors in the real world.

Many of Sharon's classes incorporated a few important aspects of the ID design process inside really interesting subject matter. She is a fantastic professor.



back to top

new IDer: Jeff Mau
MDM, Spring 2007

My name is Jeff Mau, an MDM candidate for Spring 2007. I am 29 years old, born and raised in Davenport, IA, and have lived in Kansas City and Chicago. I have a background in Fine Arts and Design, and Computer Science. Married: no. Children: 0. Politics: American politics are polarized and boring, but global politics are relevant and fascinating. Religion: Agnostic, but lean towards Buddhism.

How did you end up at ID? What were your motivations for coming? Where were you working before?
After five years designing customer experiences for Sprint, I was getting a bit bored. I looked into several top MBA schools and settled on the MDM program at ID. The blend of design and business thinking is a unique combination that is difficult to find..

What are your first impressions about ID (people, faculty, the space, the city..)?
I have been impressed by the international diversity and overall intelligence level of the students. Everyone is very smart, and exposure to different cultures and working styles will be an advantage for all of us.

What do you think you can bring to the people here at ID (culturally, socially,...)?
I hope to foster a positive learning environment in my teams.

Is there anything amazing from your culture or where you come from that you think people should not miss?
I always enjoy a long drive across portions of the Midwest. The open space is vast and humbling, especially if you have spent most of your life in a dense city.

Which designers or thinkers have impressed you the most lately or you are following now?
I have followed the architect Rem Koolhaas for many years. He has been successful making a business out of progressive thinking.

What are the websites you could not live without?
Wikipedia.

What kind of activities are you planning to do in your free time in case you have any while at ID?
I'm anxious to get my Audi TT out of storage over winter break. There are some great roads along the Mississippi that are asking for trouble.

back to top

Past IDer: Chris Bernard
MDM. Class of 2006

My name is Chris Bernard and I'm from Iowa. I completed my MDM at ID in spring of 2006. I'm a user experience evangelist for Microsoft here in Chicago. Married: Yes. Children: Ben, who is 7, Ellie, who is 4, Erin, who is 5 months. Politics: lapsed Republican. Religion: lapsed Catholic.

What do you do now?

I'm currently a user experience evangelist for Microsoft. My job is to work with the software design and development community and business to communicate the importance of user experience in software design and the myriad of consumer and business touch points that it influences.

I used to focus mostly on motion graphic and interactive design but these days I find myself usually working on transactional Web-based applications and design specification artifacts.

My mission as a design professional is to apply the principles of contextual research, cultural, human, physical and social factors to the products, services and systems that I develop. I'm passionate about linking the value of design to business and measurable objectives and don't like people that think designers are merely decorators or designers that act like decorators.

What was your background before coming to ID?

Formerly I was a creative director and competency leader in one of IBM’s centers for e-business innovation. I bring over 14 years of expertise in design, consulting, strategy, business frameworks, design research, analysis, synthesis, planning and implementation.

I've got an M.S. in Marketing Communications from the Stuart Graduate School of Business and a very long time ago I got my undergraduate degree from the University of Iowa, where I majored in film studies and film production. 

In which ways and dimensions do you think ID has changed your career?

It has allowed me to continue to earn an honest wage while continuing to focus my passion on design and advancing it as a profession. I think I’m more competent in addressing design problems right now and I’m much better at balancing (but not abandoning) intuition versus a more analytical approach to design.

Can you imagine what would you be doing if you had not attended ID?

I’d probably be slipping further away from design and more into pure business strategy and business development. 

What are the skills learned at ID that you use the most in your current job/life?

I’m a much better listener and I’m much better at asking questions. I’ve learned to balance and use my intuition in a more focused and productive way. I’ve also learned how to better manage and master the different personas that designers need to have such as motivator, facilitator, listener, explorer, etc.

What was the most valuable class that you took while at ID?

This is tough, so many good classes, they were all valuable. I think the class I learned the ‘most’ in was ID 524, Strategic Design Planning. It was my hardest and most frustrating class at ID but I apply the lessons I learned from that class on an almost daily basis.

Which member of the faculty influenced you the most and why?

I was strongly attracted to ID because of Vijay Kumar and Charles Owen. I was eager to learn how to apply some of their processes and methods to what I practiced day to day at IBM.

Larry Keeley was a large influence in how he reminded designers of their special burdens and responsibilities as innovators—he also influenced how I talk about and ‘sell’ my concepts versus talking about how I generated them.

John Grimes was a big influence in helping me address some of my shortcomings in presenting a coherent and succinct narrative. The user centered case—pure gold.

What hard times did you have at ID, and what got you through them?

One of the most difficult things for me to do at ID was not act like a creative director or manager with my fellow students. I was successful most of the time but I had a couple of notable cases where I let this shine through. I got through them by reminding myself that I’m in an in environment where I really don’t need to ‘act’ like I’m the smartest guy in the room (easy because I frequently wasn’t) and that part of the learning process is going to involve some twisting as we worked through issues. 

If you could have changed one thing about ID while a student, what would it have been?

I would have taught some of the workshop classes at night so they were more available to MDM students. I would also REQUIRE that MDM students have to take at least 2 workshop courses.

What's the best anecdote you have from the time you were at school (professor or student related)?

“ID is a school that teach design principles, we don’t practice them.”
“Why are we so passionate about what we do? Because the stakes are so low.”
“Larry Keeley ate my weekend.”

How many nights did you sleep at school?

Not even once. Although I did some serious napping in the student lounge and had some very late nights and numerous all-nighters. Note to new students, I’d suggest ensuring that you have your OWN blanket and pillow for the student lounge.

What is the last book that has impressed you the most?

I didn’t really read too many REAL books while I was at ID but now that I’m done I’m back to my old habits and tend to read 4 to 6 things at once. Here’s the ones I like most now:

Devil in the White City which is about the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair. In the end much of book is about a design challenge. It’s fascinating to read about how folks like Daniel Burnham and Louis Sullivan chose to solve problems in much the same way we do. (The Atlantic also recently included both of them on a list of the 100 most influential Americans).

Bill Moggridge’s book Designing Interactions is also impressive. One, it includes a wonderful DVD (with some folks you’ll recognize) and two, you’ll realize that you’re capable of making the same great breakthroughs that many of these folks did.

John Hodgman’s The Areas of My Expertise is perhaps the finest example of made-up trivia that one will ever encounter and makes a fine holiday gift for folks too.

What other advice do you have for current and/or future ID students?

ID occasionally attracts some big egos and insufferable personalities. Try not to be one of these people, we know who you are and your reputation will stick with you forever and come back to haunt you. If you are one of these people, start making nice now while you still can (see book recommendation above). 

back to top

• To Gabe and Eric Niu for their superhero 6am spectacular!
  from Kristy
• To Eric N (and maybe Alex C. and Margo) for loving me!
  from Kayo
• To Wooj for being Wooj.
  from #1 Woo Jin Fan
• To Mycal for teaching Illustrator at 2am
• To Kayo for wearing a big boot.
  from Eric N.
• To Eric Wilmot for putting that ish together.
• To Kayo and Jun for giving-thanks on Thanks-giving day.
  from Sue Jin
• To Ido Mor for taking me to the Massive Change symposium.
• To Eric N for lending me the PowerBook that I'm publishing this newsletter on right now!
  from John
• To everyone for being fun and smart!

Care to thank a fellow IDer? Shout it out. Email us at newsletter [at] id.iit.edu.

back to top

Technology spotlight: Free Conferencing
by Ash Bhoopathy

Sorry mates, I took a few issues off from talking about "new-technology-that-will-hopefully-make-your-life-easier." Since I mentioned LinkedIn last time, we launched an ID alumni LinkedIn group and those who are interested in being part of the ID alumni group are now able to go to the site and add themselves. If you haven't done so yet, email me at ash [at] id.iit.edu and I'll add you. (If you're interested, check out the front page of this month's business2.0 magazine, which highlights Reid Hoffman and LinkedIn.)

This month, I want to showcase a technology that can be really instrumental to you while you're in group meetings with your colleagues or classmates, and you can't all be in the same location. Until now, there hasn't been a particularly easy way to get a conference call going with more than 3 people.

Now, we have Free Conferencing, powered by LiveOffice--not to be confused with Microsoft's Office Live. It works beautifully and simply: you register on the site for free, and you get a phone number and a password that multiple people can call into. You're restricted to 250 users per conference. If you have more than 250 people, you probably ought to try something more proven, like LiveMeeting or MeetingPlace.

The really cool part about the whole thing is that you can record an entire conversation as an MP3 file....so you can remind your teammate that he really WAS supposed to finish the slide deck for this morning's meeting in case he forgot!

Check it out when you have the chance. (And while it's free!) Visit http://freeconferencing.liveoffice.com/

back to top

Dressing for cold-weather success
by John Kestner

If, like myself, you're an IDer new to Chicago and its winters, you're probably tired of comments like, "New, eh? You're in for a treat come February!" We're scared. We don't know how to prepare for Jack Frost's war on warmth. The closest thing we have to cold-weather clothes in our wardrobe are some flannel pajamas and a Christmas stocking.

But others have gone before us. Take some tips from fellow IDers on how to survive, and even be comfortable in, the Chicago winter.

Jordan reflects after a long day of innovating while keeping his neck warm with a traditionally tied gray scarf. "A scarf not only keeps your neck warm, it seals an entry point for cold and wind to climb inside your jacket," he points out.. A more secure option is to fold the scarf in half and thread the ends around your neck and through the resulting loop.

Known for her crafts experience, Sarah displays some innovation of her own with a scarf fashioned out of her own hair to go with a green down jacket. She swears by her jacket, saying, "Though it's bulky, down is lightweight–and nothing's cozier." With a waterproof shell, lined hood and long skirt, this jacket can handle nearly anything an ill-tempered arctic blast can throw at it.

back to top

Around town: Soupbox
by Eric Niu

Observed

Your moment of insight