IDEA 2015: Advocating Excellence from IDSA on Vimeo.
Get Out of the Studio!
For much of 2015 I had the opportunity to work with the IDSA (Industrial Designers Society of America) as they prepared for the Future of the Future design conference as well as the IDEA competition (International Design Excellence Awards). Stepping out of the studio and shop, away from research, and into a position to shed light upon the great work being created by others in the design community was both a challenging and fulfilling experience.
Design competitions have become a dime a dozen. Although this is indicative of the impact holistic and meaningful design has upon society, not all competitions are built the same. While some are brain drains sponsored by companies hungry for new ideas, others work to uplift the community as a whole by shining a light upon excellent, empowering design. For the 35 years that IDEA has been around, it has sought to be the latter.
"Advocating Excellence" is a peek behind the scenes of the judging process for the IDEA. Submitting work to a design competition is similar to putting your most valuable assets in a stranger's hands. My task was to tell the story of how much personal care and effort is behind the IDEA judging process and to help future applicants prepare for the competition.
Let the Story Tell Itself
The final round of judging took place at the Henry Ford Museum in Michigan. During this visit I filmed everything. Bugging the jury members' hotel rooms was discussed, but eventually dismissed. While my production partner Lea Martin and I had developed a preliminary angle for the film, we flushed the full story out during the filming. This required us to be both flexible and observant as the judging progressed.
Thorough documentation of the judging process as well as thoughtful interviews with the IDEA jury gave us the canvas and brushes to paint with. The editing process over the months after filming proved to be the greater of the two hurdles, but was made monumentally easier due to our groundwork in Michigan.
Lights, Camera,
During August of 2015 the Future of the Future International Design Conference took place in Seattle, WA. Designers from around the world gathered to share about the changing landscape of our field, and discuss what challenges are on the horizon.
Action!
Design, inspiration, history of sex toys, genuine discussions of social justice and equality, eco-design, moonshots, potshots, good people and good booze of course! "Advocating Excellence" premiered at the culmination of the conference, the IDEA Gala and Ceremony.
The IDEA Gala and Ceremony in Seattle, WA
The premiere screening during the awards ceremony
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