‘Lawn Boy’ mower ad
Some say life is what you make of it. The newest exhibit at MIAD asserts that, more simply, life is what you make.
User Experience: Products That Shape Our Lives, on view in the Brooks Stevens Gallery October 21 – February 25, focuses on the devices we use and how their design has evolved from inception through today.
The Opening Reception is Fall Gallery Night, Friday, October 21, 5 – 9 p.m.
Many devices were difficult and even dangerous to operate during the Industrial Revolution. With advancements in engineering, ergonomics and greater emotional awareness, products today are safe, user-friendly and powerful.
“This exhibit traces the history of how humanity has improved the tools it uses to make our lives easier, and our work safer and more successful,” said co-curator Mark Lawson.
Using MIAD’s extensive product design collection and in collaboration with Milwaukee Tool, User Experience highlights the ways in which a design-centric approach has transformed many products into the ones we love and rely upon today.
Visitors see devices ranging from Thomas Edison’s wax cylinder phonograph to iPods, General Electric’s first production monitor-top refrigerator to a new stainless steel Electrolux and much more.
The exhibit is co-curated by James Wiemer and Mark Lawson with art direction by Dale Shidler. Gallery hours are 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., Monday – Saturday.
Schedule a free gallery tour here.
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Image: Lawn-Boy lawn mower ad; product designed by Brooks Stevens
