Alan Reddig, Senior Lecturer, Industrial Design
585.475.2954 - agrfaa@rit.edu
Alan Reddig, IDSA, began teaching at RIT after a 33-year professional career in industrial design, manufacturing and design management at Eastman Kodak Company, DCA Ltd. and Harris/RF Communications. (Also in the mix is several years as a professional musician in the ’60s and ’70s.) He has deep professional corporate and consultant design experience in photographic equipment and systems, computers, telecommunications systems, photocopiers, film and document scanners, and retail kiosks. His work has resulted in one European and seven U.S. patents, and been recognized with the iF Award by the iF International Forum Design GmbH in Hannover, Germany.
Reddig has served as Chairman of the Central NY Chapter of the Industrial Designers Society of America (IDSA), and on the IDSA Board of Directors.
His teaching emphasis is very student-focused; he has been the Faculty Advisor for RIT’s IDSA Student Chapter for many years. Keenly interested in 20th-century design history, Reddig teaches the program’s industrial design and furniture design history courses, in addition to Professional Practice and several design studio courses across all undergraduate levels.
In his spare time, he is Director and snare drummer of the East Rochester Fire Department Band.
Amos Scully, Associate Professor, CIAS Foundations
585.475.6747 – aasfaa@rit.edu
Amos Scully spent his formative years in Maine before he attended RIT for Industrial Design. He then headed to San Francisco eventually returning to California College of the Arts for an MFA in Sculpture/Furniture. After spending a year teaching in Milwaukee, Amos landed back at RIT where he now teaches I.D. sophomores, and in the Foundations Program. Scully’s collaborative installations utilize a variety of media and scale, expressing the concepts through works that degrade, dissolve, or discolor over time.
Alex Lobos, Assistant Professor, Industrial Design
585.475.7417 – aflfaa@rit.edu
Alex is always curious about how products connect users to their context. His research positions design as a tool for environmental and social innovation. He has held faculty positions at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Universidad Rafael Landivar in Guatemala and ISTHMUS Escuela de Diseño in Panama. He also has done extensive work in the area of home appliances, first during his graduate studies and then as an Industrial Designer for General Electric. Alex is a Fulbright Scholar and holds an M.F.A. from the University of Notre Dame and a B.I.D. from Universidad Rafael Landivar.
Bruce Leonard, Adjunct, Industrial Design
bruceleonard77@gmail.com
Bruce joins the RIT adjunct faculty after a 32 year career at Eastman Kodak Company where he was Manager of Industrial Design for Kodak’s consumer digital cameras. He received his BID from Syracuse University in 1975 where he studied under Arthur Pulos, FIDSA. After graduation, Bruce joined Pulos Design Associates in Syracuse where he participated with a variety of clients including Piper Aircraft, Dictaphone and Rockwell. In 1977 Bruce joined SU classmate and RIT Senior Lecturer, Alan Reddig, at Harris Corporation in Rochester to help develop traditional 2-way radios as well as pioneer new communications products in the emerging digital space. Bruce moved across town to join Kodak in 1980 and enjoyed a career designing copiers, clinical diagnostic equipment, document imaging systems, x-ray machines, slide projectors, film and digital cameras, and inkjet printers. He has led design teams whose work has been recognized by IDEA, iF, Good Design, RedDot and is the author or co-author of 21 US patents.
Bryan Hammer, Adjunct, Industrial Design
bjhfaa@rit.edu
Callie Babbitt, Assistant Professor, Golisano Institute for Sustainability
585.475.6277 – cwbgis@rit.edu
Dr. Callie Babbitt is an Assistant Professor in the Golisano Institute for Sustainability at RIT, where she conducts research on the environmental implications of emerging technologies, including consumer electronics, nanomaterials, and lithium ion batteries. She has over 30 published scholarly articles and conference proceedings on topics such as material flow analysis, life cycle assessment, sustainable design, and industrial ecology.
Chris Lundgren, Adjunct, Industrial Design
cjlfaa@rit.edu
Dan Harel, Adjunct, Industrial Design
dxhfaa@rit.edu
Gary Molinari, Adjunct, Industrial Design
gsmfaa@rit.edu
Unsure if he is a designer or teacher first, Gary Molinari teaches from the philosophy that “DesIgn is dEsiGn is deSigN.” He loves the beauty and functionality of design. He believes that through the application of common fundamental design principles, one’s level of sensitivity and awareness to design, and its process, can be enhanced. He is a strong proponent that we all need to be life-long learners. He fosters a cooperative learning environment in his classes. Gary holds a BFA in Industrial Design and a Master’s of Science degree. He has done exhibit, graphic, package, and product design for numerous national and international companies. In the plastics industry, he worked with high tech polymers while pushing state of the art processes to produce new products and applications for the marketplace. Having taught competitive gymnastics for more than two decades, Gary brings an extensive knowledge of human physiology, bio-mechanics and kinesiology to the ID program at RIT. He has had original photography work published in international newspapers and magazines. In the field of residential landscape design (truly, “green” design), Gary strives to change the face of the scenic environment “one yard at a time.” Good luck! It is not uncommon to hear him break out in fluent Italian when students who are learning or know the language indentify themselves.
Josh Owen, Associate Professor, Department Chair
585.475.5257 – jkofaa@rit.edu
Josh Owen is the newest member of the full time faculty in industrial design. He comes to RIT having previously taught for ten years at Philadelphia University where he held the position of Associate Professor and the title Craig R. Benson Chair for Innovation. He also held the position of Lecturer at the University of Pennsylvania School of Design where he developed programming that served the design, engineering and business schools under the umbrella of Integrated Product Design. Owen is also the president of Josh Owen LLC. His professional projects are produced by major manufacturers and have won many awards. Owen’s work is included in the permanent design collections of the Centre Georges Pompidou, the Denver Art Museum, the Philadelphia Museum of Art, the Musee des beaux-arts de Montreal and the Chicago Athenaeum. His work has been featured in major exhibitions, numerous books on design and is regularly included in critical design discourse.
Kim Sherman, Senior Lecturer, Industrial Design
585.475.7201 – klsfaa@rit.edu
Kim has taught at the Rochester Institute of Technology since 1991. He encourages his students to take a comprehensive approach to the design of products, effectively integrating function, aesthetics, ergonomics, and manufacturing while considering the social and environmental impact of their design decisions. Kim began his career in industrial design in 1988 and founded Think Design, LLC in 1995. He enjoys developing elegant solutions to very complex design problems. His portfolio includes a broad spectrum of products including heads-up computer displays, iontophoresis device for transdermal medicine delivery, heavy equipment for road construction, pressure diagnostics model for building weatherization training, folding recumbent bicycle, and a modular construction toy. He has an MFA in Industrial Design from RIT. Kim holds two US patents. (A third is pending.)
Len Nicholas, Adjunct, Industrial Design
315-406-2654 – lhn6856@hotmail.com
Len graduated from RIT in 1999 with a BFA in Industrial Design. He went on to work as a designer for Brownlie Design, where he had contracts with companies like Nalgene, Honda, and Raymond Corp. Presently he is the sol proprietor of Len Nicholas Design, with a concentration in product design, concept art for film and TV, and illustrations for book covers. His clients have included Fisher Price, Spin Master, Hasbro, Mattel, and JR. He holds four US patents. As an Instructor at RIT he teaches both ID Hybrid Sketching and ID Presentation.
Lorrie Frear, Associate Professor, Graphic Design
585.475. 6904 – lxfcad@rit.edu
Lorrie teaches in the Graphic Design Department, but she can be found working with students from all over the college on a wide range of projects. Lorrie is currently collaborating with Industrial Design in the multidisciplinary Packaging Design and Graphic Tactics Courses. Lorrie’s design interests are diverse and include typography, packaging, environmental design and exploring new trends in the design professions. In addition to her Graphic Design teaching responsibilities, Lorrie also teaches Calligraphy, which is open to all RIT students. Lorrie holds an MFA from RIT in Graphic Design with a minor in Industrial Design, which has served her well in the packaging world. Before returning to teach at RIT in 1990, Lorrie worked in Rochester, Boston, San Francisco and Buffalo in various design positions in a wide range of firms and organizations including consultancies, corporate design groups, small design firms, advertising agencies and as an independent designer. In her free time, Lorrie produces small identity systems through her company Underwraps, and projects that incorporate distinctive hand lettering for exhibitions, collaborations, commissions and clients.
Micah Harrison, Adjunct, Industrial Design
mlhfaa@rit.edu
Mike Kane, Adjunct, Industrial Design
miketkane@gmail.com
After graduating in 1987 from RIT’s Industrial Design Undergraduate Program, Mike went on to design baby gear at Fisher Price, sporting goods at KEK Associates and housewares at Kane Design where he is the owner and principal designer. He has worked in both corporate and consulting positions and has a broad spectrum of experience that he wishes to share with students. Product innovation is what Mike is most passionate about as part of the design process. Understanding needs and developing creative solutions is the foundation of his approach to his studio courses.
Patrick Allyn-Welborn, Adjunct, Industrial Design
phafaa@rit.edu
Paul Klock, Adjunct, Industrial Design
paul.klock@kekdesign.com
Paul is a graduate of RIT where he earned a BFA in industrial design in 1990. Since 1991, as the industrial design manager and creative director at KEK Associates Inc., Paul has lead a team of diversely talented designers, many of whom are and have been graduates of the industrial design program at RIT . Throughout his career, he and his team have won numerous design awards from Business Week, IDEA, CES Innovations, IF Mark, and GOOD Design. In addition, he has personally received more than 20 design patents and has had a key role in the design & development of consumer and commercial products for many national and internationally recognized clients. Creative thinking, problem solving, compelling styling, and hard work is what Paul believes to be the formula for innovation and user delight through design. Paul currently teaches undergraduate students how to prepare and execute a design process in there class work and shares his philosophy on client management to best prepare students for real world experiences.
Pete St. John, Adjunct, Industrial Design
ps@petestjohndesign.com
Pete is currently an adjunct professor for the industrial design department specializing in exhibit design. He has combined his theatrical design (BFA Theatrical Production Design) and Industrial Design (MFA RIT ID) training along with an extensive local professional network to create a truly “hands on” exhibit design experience. He believes that in order to understand the demands of the discipline you must fully immerse yourself in the environment you’re attempting to design. Teaching at RIT since 2002 Pete also founded St. John Design Group, an exhibit design consultancy, in 2006 and has designed environments for clients such as Cartier, The National Parks Service, Olympus, Tom’s of Maine, Cannon, The New York State Military Museum, The Army Corps. of Engineers, and Roberto Coin.
Rick Auburn, Technician, Industrial/Interior Design
585.475.6505 – rdafaa@rit.edu
Rick maintains the shop and studio area, supporting the various needs of our students, faculty, and staff. He assists members of the department in capacities such as operating machines, using tools, acquiring supplies, repairing, improvising, and research & development for projects. Rick joined the Industrial/Interior Design Department in 1986 after beginning his career at RIT as a technician in the College of Science in 1974.
Roy Cripps, Adjunct, Industrial Design
rxcfaa@rit.edu
Roy has more than 30 years of experience working as an Industrial Designer. After studying engineering at RIT, he went on to graduate from Art Center College of Design in California where he majored in product design, transportation and packaging. Roy designed consumer products for GTE/Sylvania and spent time as a business equipment designer at Xerox. Over his career, he has partnered with many industrial design companies as a Design Consultant. Roy teaches sketching skills to sophomore students in the Graph Vis class at RIT. He believes that designers must learn the basic skills in how to sketch the form of the object as a way to communicate its design elements.
Sandra Turner, Adjunct, Industrial Design
srt8960@rit.edu
Sandra is fascinated by the design process, especially the art of design thinking and concept development. Uncovering real needs and designing holistic solutions that focus on long-term change is what she finds most rewarding. She challenges students to go beyond the unknown and explore the invisible to find possibilities. Sandra holds an MFA in Industrial Design from RIT. Her thesis research focused on innovation in classroom design. Before graduate school, Sandra spent her first career in the business/corporate world and holds a BS in Business Administration with a concentration in marketing and double major in art from SUNY Brockport. She has an inter-disciplinary background in management, organizational and strategic development, entrepreneurship, training, art, design and marketing. Sandra has taken full advantage of her educational opportunities at RIT by serving as chair of the 2011 Graduate Research Symposium, and participating as a member of the CIAS Executive Student, Innovation Hall of Fame Nominations, and Graduate Student Advisory committees. She was co-author/co-presenter of papers presented at the International Conference on Teaching and Learning and Electronics & Sustainability: Design for Energy and the Environment Symposium and recently presented a new research topic at the IDSA International Conference in the area of using design in the classroom to inspire sustainable change. Sandra owns and operates her own design consultant business, Rove Design Group.
Sara Reynolds, Adjunct, Industrial Design
smrfaa@rit.edu
Scott Almeter, Adjunct, Industrial Design
scafaa@rit.edu
Shen-Chuang Lin, Adjunct, Industrial Design
sxlfaa@rit.edu
Stan Rickel, Associate Professor, Graduate Coordinator
585.475.4745 – srrfaa@rit.edu
Stan is a generalist at heart and possesses a wide range of design interests and skills. As an accomplished cabinetmaker, he has designed and crafted furniture for many private clients throughout the US, while his skills in the fabrication and engineering of sculptural work fostered collaborations with artists such as Denis Oppenheim and Ed Rothfarb. Shortly after graduating from Pratt with his BID, Stan was appointed as senior designer for Charles Pollock International, and went on to establish his own firm. As a principle of Rickel Jackson Design, Stans’ clients include: Farberware, Anchor Hocking Glassware, Conair, Mel Appel, Mattel, Galoob, Hasbro, Tiger Electronics, Trimark, united chair, Les Prismatiques, and George Kovacs. As an educator for the last 15 years, Stan has taught at Pratt Institute and Syracuse University prior to joining Rochester Institute of Technology’s Industrial Design Program in 2001, where he acted as the Department Chair and is currently the Graduate Coordinator. Stan has authored, co-authored papers and presented papers on subjects ranging from experiential learning to interactive design to abstraction in the 21st century. In 2009, Design Intelligence named Stan as one of the most respected design faculty in the US. Stan continues to design artifacts and ideas for clients, and has also been known to sneak into the studio and build something just for fun. His areas of current research and interest include, sensible design, Dr. Seuss, whole/brain thinking, abstractions and perception, emergent properties of artifacts and environments and most importantly, education of the next generation of brilliant designers. Stan also holds a MID from Syracuse University.
Tanvi Asher-Jones, Adjunct, Industrial Design
tva9295@gmail.rit.edu
Tanvi is a designer with a multi-disciplinary background. Embracing her design roots, her practice subverts strategies of communications, rational problem solving and formal design/un-designed methodologies. She uses invitations, opportunities and chance circumstance, actively seeking, embracing and responding to the coincidences and contradictions encountered in everyday life. Tanvi is currently adjunct faculty in the ID dept at RIT and also serves as a part-time exhibit designer at the Vignelli Center for Design Studies at RIT.
Tyler Porter, Adjunct, Industrial Design
twpfaa@rit.edu
W. Michelle Harris, Assistant Professor, Interactive Games & Media
585.475.4487 – wmh@mail.rit.edu
Michelle teaches subjects ranging from interaction design to physical computing. She is collaborating with Industrial Design to refine a course for ID students that introduces experience design principles in a tangible computing course. She is also a media artist who freely mixes digital video, electronics and other immaterials with found and crafted objects in a variety of textures. She has an MPS in Interactive Telecommunications from NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts.To see more about Michelle’s work, visit: http://people.rit.edu/wmhics
Wendell Castle, Artist-in-Residence, RIT
585.889.2378 – wendell@wendellcastle.com
Wendell Castle has been a sculptor, designer and educator for over 4 decades. He is known throughout the world for his innovative designs in wood, plastic and bronze. Mr. Castle’s work is represented in many major museum collections throughout the United States, Europe, and the Far East. These include the Museum of Modern Art, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Museum of Arts and Design, and the Brooklyn Museum in New York; the Smithsonian’s American Art Museum and the Renwick Gallery in Washington, D.C.; The Art Institute of Chicago, The Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, the Detroit Art Institute, the Museum of Fine Arts (Houston, TX), the Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum, Smithsonian Institutions (New York, NY), the Victoria Albert Museum, London, England, and the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art (Kansas City, MO). He has been recognized many times over for his contributions to the design and art field in the United States, having received numerous awards, grants and honors for his accomplishments. These include three honorary doctoral degrees, several grants from the National Endowment for the Arts, the Gold Medal Award and being named a Fellow by the American Craft Council, listing in Who’s Who in American Art, the Golden Plate award from the American Academy of Achievement, the Visionaries award from the Museum of Art & Design, the Distinguished Achievement Award from the University of Kansas School of Fine Arts, The Award of Distinction from the Furniture Society, the Outstanding Achievement Award, from the National Association of Schools of Art and Design, and the Lifetime Achievement Award For Excellence in Design from The Brooklyn Museum of Art. In addition to having a strong career as an artist, Mr. Castle has contributed to the education of others who aspire to be artists. He began teaching in 1960 at Kansas University and would later move to Rochester, New York to teach at Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) and the State University of New York at Brockport. From 1980-88, Wendell Castle operated his own art school at his studio in Scottsville, New York. Many of his students have gone on to teach and have successful careers in the arts and design field. He is currently on the staff of RIT as Artist-in-Residence and is asked to exhibit, lecture and teach at many educational institutions throughout the world.