Jennifer Morla Honored By Cooper-Hewitt National Design Awards

Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum has announced the winners of the 2017 National Design Awards, recognizing design excellence and innovation in 11 categories ranging from landscape to fashion to architecture to product design. Jennifer Morla, who has been honored with over 300 awards in the field of visual communication, including the 2010 AIGA Medal, will receive the Communication Design trophy.

 

The Shock of the Familiar, a cover design for The New York Times Magazine that examines how design is inherent in all objects, yet is often invisible to the intended audience (1998). Photo: Morla Design

 

RECIPIENTS IN OTHER DISCIPLINES AND CATEGORIES ARE:

Industrial designer Hartmut Esslinger, Lifetime Achievement

WEGA System 3000, design, engineering, and brand development (1969?1982). Photo: Courtesy of Hartmut Esslinger
WEGA System 3000, design, engineering, and brand development (1969?1982). Photo: Courtesy of Hartmut Esslinger

 

Apple Baby Mac, a computer that defined personal computers as intelligent consumer devices and featured zero-draft design and high-end plastics without paint. It was set to launch in 1986 and shelved due to Steve Jobsí departure (1982ñ1986). Photo: Courtesy of Hartmut Esslinger
Apple Baby Mac, a computer that defined personal computers as intelligent consumer devices and featured zero-draft design and high-end plastics without paint. It was set to launch in 1986 and shelved due to Steve Jobs’ departure (1982-1986). Photo: Courtesy of Hartmut Esslinger

 

Craig L. Wilkins, Design Mind

Ruffneck Constructivists (2014). Published by Dancing Foxes Press/ Institute of Contemporary Art, University of Pennsylvania.

Design Trust for Public Space, Corporate & Institutional Achievement

Reclaiming the High Line, a feasibility study that catalyzed efforts to save and reprogram the High Line from a derelict railway to 1.45 miles of open public space enjoyed by millions each year, inspiring other cities to do the same (New York, New York, 2002). Project partner: Friends of the High Line. Photo: Iwaan Baan
Reclaiming the High Line, a feasibility study that catalyzed efforts to save and reprogram the High Line from a derelict railway to 1.45 miles of open public space enjoyed by millions each year, inspiring other cities to do the same (New York, New York, 2002). Project partner: Friends of the High Line. Photo: Iwaan Baan

 

Times Square Streetscape Improvement, a pedestrian-mobility plan that highlighted the necessary methods to address the chaotic, congested, and unappealing condition of New York Cityís most dynamic public space, and to enhance Times Square as a creative, thriving, and engaging urban center. In response to the study, Times Square has undergone a substantial physical transformation (New York, New York, 2004). Project partner: Times Square Alliance. Photo: NYC Department of Transportation
Times Square Streetscape Improvement, a pedestrian-mobility plan that highlighted the necessary methods to address the chaotic, congested, and unappealing condition of New York City’s most dynamic public space, and to enhance Times Square as a creative, thriving, and engaging urban center. In response to the study, Times Square has undergone a substantial physical transformation (New York, New York, 2004). Project partner: Times Square Alliance. Photo: NYC Department of Transportation

 

MASS Design Group, Architecture Design

Maternity Waiting Village, designed to combat Malawiís high maternal and infant mortality rates by attracting more women and their attendants to come early to the District Hospital to seek medical care for their deliveries and improve their waiting experience (Kasungu, Malawi, 2015). Project Partners: University of North CarolinañMalawi, Malawi Ministry of Health, The Gates Foundation, The Autodesk Foundation, and Presidential Initiative for Safe Motherhood. Photo: Iwan Baan
Maternity Waiting Village, designed to combat Malawi’s high maternal and infant mortality rates by attracting more women and their attendants to come early to the District Hospital to seek medical care for their deliveries and improve their waiting experience (Kasungu, Malawi, 2015). Project Partners: University of North CarolinañMalawi, Malawi Ministry of Health, The Gates Foundation, The Autodesk Foundation, and Presidential Initiative for Safe Motherhood. Photo: Iwan Baan

 

United Kingdom National Holocaust Memorial design proposal, focused on having memorials of the future do more than just mark the past but make visitors pledge to fight intolerance in the future. Proposal includes a pile of six million stones that represent the six million Jewish victims of the holocaust and the individual removal of the stones by six million visitors will over time distribute the memorial to six million places (London, United Kingdom, concept 2017). Project partners: John McAslan + Partners, Lily Jencks Studio, and Local Projects. Photo: MASS Design Group, John McAslan + Partners, and Lily Jencks Studio
United Kingdom National Holocaust Memorial design proposal, focused on having memorials of the future do more than just mark the past but make visitors pledge to fight intolerance in the future. Proposal includes a pile of six million stones that represent the six million Jewish victims of the holocaust and the individual removal of the stones by six million visitors will over time distribute the memorial to six million places (London, United Kingdom, concept 2017). Project partners: John McAslan + Partners, Lily Jencks Studio, and Local Projects. Photo: MASS Design Group, John McAslan + Partners, and Lily Jencks Studio

Slow and Steady Wins the Race, Fashion Design

Khaki wide leg pants with wide elastic, khaki nylon rectangular bag, and khaki contrast lining trench coat (New York, New York, 2016). Photo: Slow and Steady Wins the Race
Khaki wide leg pants with wide elastic, khaki nylon rectangular bag, and khaki contrast lining trench coat (New York, New York, 2016). Photo: Slow and Steady Wins the Race
Wedge sandal in tri-color (New York, New York, 2012). Photo: Isabel Asha Penzlien
Wedge sandal in tri-color (New York, New York, 2012). Photo: Isabel Asha Penzlien

 

Stamen Design founded by Eric Rodenbeck, Interaction Design

Facebook Flowers, an excerpt from a video that diagrams the viral activity that follows George Takei sharing a picture on Facebook, showing patterns resembling living organisms that commonly emerge with large and complex data sets (2012). Photo: Stamen Design
Facebook Flowers, an excerpt from a video that diagrams the viral activity that follows George Takei sharing a picture on Facebook, showing patterns resembling living organisms that commonly emerge with large and complex data sets (2012). Photo: Stamen Design

 

Maps for the World, a series of free mapmaking resources for developers as well as the general public (2006ñpresent). Photo: Stamen Design
Maps for the World, a series of free mapmaking resources for developers as well as the general public (2006-present). Photo: Stamen Design

Deborah Berke Partners, Interior Design

432 Park Avenue, featuring classically modern, gracious rooms and floor plans shaped around spectacular panoramic windows, treating views as central design elements (New York, New York, 2015). Project partners: Rafael ViÒoly Architects; SLCE Architects; Bentel & Bentel Architects; WSP Cantor Seinuk; Schlaich Bergermann and Partner; WSP Flack & Kurtz; Zion Breen & Richardson Associates. Photo: Scott Frances
432 Park Avenue, featuring classically modern, gracious rooms and floor plans shaped around spectacular panoramic windows, treating views as central design elements (New York, New York, 2015). Project partners: Rafael Viòoly Architects; SLCE Architects; Bentel & Bentel Architects; WSP Cantor Seinuk; Schlaich Bergermann and Partner; WSP Flack & Kurtz; Zion Breen & Richardson Associates. Photo: Scott Frances

 

Cummins Indy Distribution Headquarters, formed concrete columns and ceiling are left partially exposed and ribbons of faÁade are ever present with elements made of natural wood, such as built-in furniture and stairways, recurring in public zones and inviting a human connection (Indianapolis, Indiana, 2017). Project partners: RATIO Architects; Robert Silman Associates; Fink Roberts & Petrie, Inc.; Syska Hennessy Group, Inc.; Circle Design Group; David Rubin Land Collective; Civil & Environmental Consultants, Inc.; One Lux Studios; Atelier Ten; Front, Inc.; Doyle Partners; Art Strategies; Hicks Design Group; Walker Parking Consultant; RTM Consultants; Shiner + Associates. Photo: Chris Cooper
Cummins Indy Distribution Headquarters, formed concrete columns and ceiling are left partially exposed and ribbons of fáade are ever present with elements made of natural wood, such as built-in furniture and stairways, recurring in public zones and inviting a human connection (Indianapolis, Indiana, 2017). Project partners: RATIO Architects; Robert Silman Associates; Fink Roberts & Petrie, Inc.; Syska Hennessy Group, Inc.; Circle Design Group; David Rubin Land Collective; Civil & Environmental Consultants, Inc.; One Lux Studios; Atelier Ten; Front, Inc.; Doyle Partners; Art Strategies; Hicks Design Group; Walker Parking Consultant; RTM Consultants; Shiner + Associates. Photo: Chris Cooper

Surfacedesign, Landscape Architecture

Museo Del Acero Horno landscape, expressing the spirit of the siteís former industrial glory and celebrating its position within the surrounding regional landscape context (Monterrey, Mexico, 2008). Project partner: Harari Architects. Photo: Marion Brenner
Museo Del Acero Horno landscape, expressing the spirit of the site’s former industrial glory and celebrating its position within the surrounding regional landscape context (Monterrey, Mexico, 2008). Project partner: Harari Architects. Photo: Marion Brenner

 

Tank Hill House courtyard garden, creating a serene respite from the city that extends domestic life beyond the home and into the landscape (San Francisco, California, 2017). Photo: Marion Brenner
Tank Hill House courtyard garden, creating a serene respite from the city that extends domestic life beyond the home and into the landscape (San Francisco, California, 2017). Photo: Marion Brenner

Joe Doucet, Product Design

Alba Decanter Set for Nude Glass, paying homage to Scotland, the spiritual home of whiskey, through the hand engraved deconstructed Tartan pattern and an omni-directional stopper inviting the owner to always lean it in the direction of Scotland (2016). Photo: Nude Glass
Alba Decanter Set for Nude Glass, paying homage to Scotland, the spiritual home of whiskey, through the hand engraved deconstructed Tartan pattern and an omni-directional stopper inviting the owner to always lean it in the direction of Scotland (2016). Photo: Nude Glass

 

MINIM regulation playing cards, exploring how much one can take away while still maintaining a playable deck, featuring simple geometric symbols serving as reductive versions of hearts, clubs, diamonds, and spades (2015). Photo: Kendall Mills and Areaware
MINIM regulation playing cards, exploring how much one can take away while still maintaining a playable deck, featuring simple geometric symbols serving as reductive versions of hearts, clubs, diamonds, and spades (2015). Photo: Kendall Mills and Areaware

Susan S. Szenasy, Director’s Award

Metropolis examines what it means to be a maker, from potters to politicians, and what designers can expect from this movement (March 2015). Photo: Metropolis
Metropolis examines what it means to be a maker, from potters to politicians, and what designers can expect from this movement (March 2015). Photo: Metropolis

Jennifer Morla established San Francisco-based Morla Design in 1984 as a multi-disciplinary studio and has worked on projects ranging from motion graphics and branding to retail environments and textiles. She  has created design programs for Levi’s, Design Within Reach and the Mexican Museum, San Francisco. Morla lectures internationally and has taught at California College of the Arts for 23 years.

Herman Miller Collection Book, designed to reintroduce Herman Millerís mid-century classics in a contemporary context for a younger architecture and design community (2010). Photo: Morla Design
Herman Miller Collection Book, designed to reintroduce Herman Miller’s mid-century classics in a contemporary context for a younger architecture and design community (2010). Photo: Morla Design
Design Within Reach catalog, designed to reinforce DWRís position as a player in the outdoor furnishings market with the native Hawaiian red-crested cardinal reinforcing the onset of spring and nodding to the opening of the DWR Hawaii store (2008). Photo: Morla Design
Design Within Reach catalog, designed to reinforce DWR’s position as a player in the outdoor furnishings market with the native Hawaiian red-crested cardinal reinforcing the onset of spring and nodding to the opening of the DWR Hawaii store (2008). Photo: Morla Design

Now in their 18th year, the annual awards promote design as a vital humanistic tool in shaping the world.  The award recipients will be honored at a gala dinner and ceremony October 19 at the Arthur Ross Terrace and Garden at Cooper Hewitt. “In an era of tumultuous change, design is asking deep questions about its purpose and contributions to a better society,” said director Caroline Baumann. “The achievements of this year’s class of National Design Award winners have informed that dialogue, and their accomplishments have elevated our understanding of what great American design is and what it can do to improve our world.”

Established in 2000 as a project of the White House Millennium Council, the awards program is accompanied each year by National Design Week (Oct. 14–22 this year). A variety of public education programs will be offered at the museum and across the country. National Design Awards programming is made possible by major support from Target, and additional funding is provided by Design Within Reach and Facebook. Founded in 1897, Cooper Hewitt is the only museum in the United States devoted exclusively to historic and contemporary design.