Appalachian to hold second Power of Design event
by Josh Jarman, Public Relations Intern, College of Fine and Applied Arts
Appalachian State University will host “Activism through Design” as the second annual Power of Design event at 7 p.m. Monday, Dec. 1, in the Valborg Theatre.
The Power of Design brings together students, faculty and members of the professional community in all design disciplines such as interior design, graphic design, industrial design, architectural design, theater design and photography. Storr Office Environments, a Steelcase dealership in Greensboro, is the event sponsor.
The Power of Design “Activism through Design” will feature Bryan Bell of Design Corps and collaborators of his new book “Expanding Architecture: Design as Activism.”
Bell has degrees from Princeton and Yale and has taught at Auburn Rural Studio and founded his own non-profit agency. Bell has also started an internship program with the AmeriCorps national service program for young designers interested in the social application of architecture.
This year the event will open with Bell as the featured speaker. A panel discussion will be held with Katie Wakeford of Design Corps, Seth Hendler of Asheville City Parks and Recreation Department, and Barbara Wilson, co-founder of the Austin Community Design and Development Center.
“It’s a great opportunity for our students to learn from practicing leaders in design,” said Timothy D. Dolan, Appalachian Design Council member. “Hopefully, the students will be inspired and come away from the event asking ‘what if…?’ Design is about asking many questions and searching for the answers.”
Last year’s event was titled “A celebration of Charles and Ray Eames and the Powers of 10.” Charles and Ray Eames are among the most important American designers of this century. They are best known for their groundbreaking contributions to architecture, furniture design (e.g., the Eames chair), industrial design, manufacturing and the photographic arts. The event drew a mixture of approximately 300 students and design enthusiasts.
The event is open to all design professionals and the public.
For more information, visit http://www.faa.appstate.edu/powerofdesign/index2.html or contact Jeanne Mercer-Ballard at mercerja@appstate.edu.