Industrial Designers Society of America honours Loughborough University academic as its first UK-based Fellow

In recognition of an international contribution to design research and education, Dr Mark Evans of the School of Design and Creative Arts has been inducted to the Academy of Fellows of the Industrial Designers Society of America (IDSA).

The Fellowship recognises Mark’s significant contribution to the profession and collaborations with the IDSA that include delivering insights into emerging design technologies during a six-month residency at Massachusetts Institute of Technology and judging for the International Design Excellence Awards.

Dr Mark Evans

His fold-out ID Cards design communication tool that was jointly branded by Loughborough University and IDSA resulted in distribution to 5000 members and was used to define the profession on its website.

In response to demand, the tool was translated into an app that had over 18,000 users in its first two years and received recognition through promotion by organisations including Design Denmark, German Design Council, Ornamo Finland, British Industrial Design Association and Design Institute Australia.

Founded in 1965 as the oldest and largest industrial design association, the IDSA has honoured 177 of the most influential practitioners and educators as Fellows. These include Robert Blaich, Head of Design for Royal Philips Electronics; Bill Moggridge, co-founder of international consultancy IDEO; and founding icons of the profession - Raymond Loewy and Walter Dorwin Teague.

Speaking of the Award Dr Evans said:

“The Academy of Fellows is a Who’s Who of industrial design, including icons that featured in design history lectures when I was a student and more recent leaders who I include in my own lectures. To be added to this esteemed group is a great honour and acknowledges the contribution of academic research to the profession”.