The World Design Organization has named Hartmut Esslinger, founder of frogdesign, as the recipient of the WDO World Design Medal for his exceptional and significant contribution to the profession of industrial design.
“The decision was unanimous,” noted Brandon Gien, Senate Convenor of the WDO Senate Selection Committee. “Esslinger’s body of work is revolutionary, particularly around the guiding principle of emotion before form, which has defined the modern consumer aesthetic.”
“He is a legend in industrial design, renowned for his collaboration with Steve Jobs and Apple,” said WDO President Mugendi M’Rithaa. “We were very much impressed by Esslinger’s global reach and his continued influence among young industrial designers today.”
The announcement comes on World Industrial Design Day, celebrated every 29 June around the world to raise awareness of industrial design and its role in effecting positive change. Esslinger will accept the World Design Medal and give a keynote presentation at the 30th WDO General Assembly in Torino, Italy from 14-15 October 2017.
WDO launched the WDO World Design Medal in celebration of its 60th anniversary and to showcase exceptional industrial designers from around the globe who are driving positive change in the world through design. A Selection Committee, made up of our active Senators, selects the recipient following an open call for nominations.
Information:
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Ms. Augie Van Biljouw
Director of Communications
t: + 1 514 448 4949 ext. 228
e: augie@wdo.org
About the World Design Organization
The World Design Organization (WDO)™, formerly the International Council of Societies of Industrial Design (Icsid), is an international non-governmental organization founded in 1957 to promote the profession of industrial design. WDO advocates industrial design driven innovation that creates a better world, engaging more than 150 member organizations in collaborative efforts and carrying out international programming—World Design Capital®, World Design Talks™, World Design Impact Prize, World Industrial Design Day™, and Interdesign. WDO has United Nations Special Consultative Status.
