John Maeda
Full Name and Common Aliases
John Maeda
Also known as: John Shigemi Maeda
Birth and Death Dates
Born on: April 24, 1966 (still active)
Died: N/A
Nationality and Profession(s)
Nationality: American-Japanese
Profession: Designer, Artist, Author, Educator, Former CEO of the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD)
Early Life and Background
John Maeda was born on April 24, 1966, in Santa Monica, California. His parents are Japanese immigrants who moved to the United States for work opportunities. Growing up in a culturally diverse household influenced his approach to art and design. He developed an interest in computer graphics while studying at the University of California, Berkeley. After graduating with a Bachelor's degree in Physics, Maeda pursued his passion for art and design.
Major Accomplishments
Maeda's career spans various fields, including design, technology, and education. Some notable accomplishments include:
MIT Media Lab: He co-founded the Physical Computing Group at MIT and led the Media Laboratory as a Professor.
RISD CEO: Maeda served as the President of the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) from 2008 to 2013, focusing on innovation and entrepreneurship in design education.
Design Thinker: He has written several books on design thinking and its application in business and society.Notable Works or Actions
Some notable works and actions by Maeda include:
The Laws of Simplicity: In his book "The Laws of Simplicity," Maeda explores the principles of simplicity in design and life.
Design for Emotion: He has worked on various projects, including the development of a mobile app that helps people understand their emotions through color.
Collaborations: Maeda has collaborated with artists, designers, and musicians to create innovative works that blend technology and art.
Impact and Legacy
John Maeda's impact on design, technology, and education is significant. His work has influenced:
Design Education: He has helped shape the way design is taught in schools and universities.
Design Thinking: Maeda's writings on simplicity and design thinking have inspired businesses and individuals to approach problems from a human-centered perspective.
Art-Technology Intersection: His collaborations with artists and musicians have pushed the boundaries of what is possible at the intersection of art and technology.Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
John Maeda is widely quoted and remembered for his:
Thought Leadership: As a designer, artist, author, and educator, he has established himself as a thought leader in various fields.
Innovative Approach: His work combines technology, art, and design to create innovative solutions that inspire others.
Passion for Education: Maeda's commitment to making design education more accessible and relevant has made a lasting impact on the field.
Quotes by John Maeda
John Maeda's insights on:
Growing up, I found I was good at two things: Art and Math. To hear my parents say it, though, it was only, 'John is good at Math.'
No place in the US better exemplifies the ethos to engineer new digital technologies than Silicon Valley.
In the ’70s and ’80s there was an attempt in K-12 to teach science through art or art through science. The challenge today is how do you build the ethos of art and design into the academy of science.
I have a confession: I’m not a man of simplicity. I spent my entire early career making complex stuff. Lots of complex stuff.
I don’t like creating software anymore. It’s too exact. It’s like karate; there’s no room for error.
Artists change how we see the world – and that can have value in the way people do business.
I like stuff designed by dead people. The old designers. They always got it right because they didn’t have to grow up with computers. All of the people that made the spoon and the dishes and the vacuum cleaner didn’t have microprocessors and stuff. You could do a good design back then.
Things that I can do myself, I either do by myself, or teach a willing undergraduate who doesn’t know how to do those things by doing it for me. Things that I can’t do myself, my graduate students should be doing.