Design History: Who is Eliot Noyes?

A pioneering advocate for design in 20th century corporate behemoths like IBM, Mobil Oil, Westinghouse and Cummins Engine Company.

An architect,designer and businessman Noyes worked for Gropius and Breuer, served as MoMA’s first director of industrial design, led Eliot Noyes and Associates, and lived his prescription that “Design is a means by which you see yourself and a means by which you express yourself to others.”

As the first industrial curator at MOMA, his design competition introduced the world to Charles Eames, Saarinen and other budding design talents.

Book Review

Beauty and Function: The Mark Albrecht Desk

This is a strikingly beautiful piece of furniture. The clean lines, durable construction and rich materials (leather desktop) makes this an object of desire, at least for me.



More Images

The Story of Eames Furniture

The authors of the latest book on the Eames LA office discuss in the video how the organization came to be and their first hand knowledge of the people and workings of the group.



The Book: The Story of Eames Furniture

Product Design/ New Business Model: Tik Tok

This is cool as a product extension, but also as a innovative business model. Apple's Nano music player is creatively integrated into to a wrist band thus extending its use as a multi-touch watch.

The Chicago based product design firm MINIMAL has developed a plan for financing the production of this idea to the public. So if you wanted to be a venture capitalist here is an opportunity to seeded a new idea.



Funding Options

MINIMAL's Website

NYTIMES Article: An iPod Watch Project Explodes Online

Product: Nail Clipper

The graphics and name hold the concept and function of this product together as a whole.

A great gift for the season.



The Klhip Website

Typographer: Michael Bierut

Michael Bierut was featured prominently in the film Helvetica sharing his knowledge of graphic design history and adding context to the discussion.

Short Film on the Production of Linen (French)

I am really like the use of the documentary film format as a tool to inform and educate. Here is another example of story telling done really nicely. The appropriateness of the music and poetic quality of the french language enhances the qualify of the presentation.

BE LINEN MOVIE from Benoit MILLOT on Vimeo.

The FDA: Proposes the Redesign of Cigarette Packaging

The FDA is proposing the addition of very graphic images covering half of cigarette packaging to better inform and persuade users of the dangers of smoking.


Their are some that would argue that this move will have no image on those who smoke. I personally think the gross images covering 50% of the product packaging will eventually have an influence on how those using the product will view it. Specially for those who have long stopped seeing the written warnings that have been on the packaging for decades.

FDA Proposals

Design Writer: Ralph Caplin Audio Interview

One of the first books I read on design was Ralph Caplin's book - "By Design: Why There Are No Locks on the Bathroom Doors in the Hotel Louis XIV and Other Object Lessons".


Design Observer's audio interview with Ralph Caplin

Stephen Doyle: 2010 Communication Design Award Winner