Cusp Conference
2009 is on a mission to help people imagine and design a better world.
Taking place on September 16-17, 2009 at the Museum of Contemporary Art Theater in Chicago, IL, Cusp "isn't a conference about graphic design or interior design or industrial design. It's a conference about the 'design of everything,' bringing together thinkers, innovators, skeptics, believers, visionaries, and explorers from the arts, sciences, technology, business, design and government," says Dave Mason, co-founder of Cusp and principal of SamataMason, a strategic design firm based in West Dundee, IL.
The inherent strategic advantages in design and design thinking are gaining importance among business leaders and innovative business schools. During the two-day Cusp Conference, participants experience presenters ranging from cartoonists, filmmakers and musicians to physicians, scientists and architects. Many presenters do not come from the traditional design world, but all are engaged in imagining and creating new products, services, processes and ways of thinking.
Among Cusp 09's 20+ presenters are: Dr. John Cohn, IBM Fellow, Chief Scientist of Design Automation at IBM, and a cast member of Discovery Channel's hit reality show "The Colony;" Hartmutt Esslinger, founder of global innovation firm frog design, whose work for clients such as Apple, Lufthansa and Sony helped pave the way for today's design-driven companies; Dave Lyon, Executive Director of Interior Design for General Motors, whose work on next-generation vehicles will help reinvigorate and redefine GM; and Paul "Dr Krypton" Hoffman, adviser to NASA and the National Science Foundation, Oprah Winfrey guest, author, and past president/publisher of Encyclopaedia Britannica. He was once called "the smartest man in the world" by Chicago magazine, but claims they must have caught him on a particularly good day.
Multi-disciplinary, yet focused on design as an innovation engine, Cusp Conference was conceived as a way to share and stimulate new ideas and new thinking through a concentrated blast of optimism that connects unexpected dots and lights unknown fires. "The future is a huge design project," says Mason, "and imagination is a renewable resource. The infusion of energy and cross-pollination of ideas gained by attending Cusp are an investment in that future."
Presenters for Cusp 2009 include:
For additional information about Cusp Conference 2009, visit the Web site or register online.
ABOUT
Cusp Conference is a project of SamataMason Inc. The firm's partners have always maintained that it is their connection to the energy, intelligence and spirit of great people doing extraordinary things that keeps them engaged, energized and innovative. Cusp Conference is their way of condensing the essence of their experiences into a format that can be enjoyed by a wider audience.
2009 is on a mission to help people imagine and design a better world.
Taking place on September 16-17, 2009 at the Museum of Contemporary Art Theater in Chicago, IL, Cusp "isn't a conference about graphic design or interior design or industrial design. It's a conference about the 'design of everything,' bringing together thinkers, innovators, skeptics, believers, visionaries, and explorers from the arts, sciences, technology, business, design and government," says Dave Mason, co-founder of Cusp and principal of SamataMason, a strategic design firm based in West Dundee, IL.
The inherent strategic advantages in design and design thinking are gaining importance among business leaders and innovative business schools. During the two-day Cusp Conference, participants experience presenters ranging from cartoonists, filmmakers and musicians to physicians, scientists and architects. Many presenters do not come from the traditional design world, but all are engaged in imagining and creating new products, services, processes and ways of thinking.
Among Cusp 09's 20+ presenters are: Dr. John Cohn, IBM Fellow, Chief Scientist of Design Automation at IBM, and a cast member of Discovery Channel's hit reality show "The Colony;" Hartmutt Esslinger, founder of global innovation firm frog design, whose work for clients such as Apple, Lufthansa and Sony helped pave the way for today's design-driven companies; Dave Lyon, Executive Director of Interior Design for General Motors, whose work on next-generation vehicles will help reinvigorate and redefine GM; and Paul "Dr Krypton" Hoffman, adviser to NASA and the National Science Foundation, Oprah Winfrey guest, author, and past president/publisher of Encyclopaedia Britannica. He was once called "the smartest man in the world" by Chicago magazine, but claims they must have caught him on a particularly good day.
Multi-disciplinary, yet focused on design as an innovation engine, Cusp Conference was conceived as a way to share and stimulate new ideas and new thinking through a concentrated blast of optimism that connects unexpected dots and lights unknown fires. "The future is a huge design project," says Mason, "and imagination is a renewable resource. The infusion of energy and cross-pollination of ideas gained by attending Cusp are an investment in that future."
Presenters for Cusp 2009 include:
- Constance Adam - Space architect who designs space for space
- Lynda Barry - Painter, cartoonist, writer, illustrator, playwright, editor, commentator and teacher
- Alan Beger - Associate Professor of Urban Design and Landscape Architecture
- Rob Brady - Designer, Co-founder and executive director of ARMORIT
- Dr. John Cohn - IBM Fellow and Chief Scientist of Design Automation at IBM
- Michael Cronan - Creative Director, :: CRONAN ::
- Aaron Dignan - Former super hero impersonator turned digital strategist
- Hartmut Esslinger - Founder and CEO of global innovation firm frog design
- Sarah Evans - Social media consultant and social philanthropist
- Sara de Freitas - Director of Research, Serious Games Institute, University of Coventry
- Shakeela Hassan, MD - Physician dedicated to promoting peaceful coexistence and understanding among different faith communities
- Karin Hibma - Strategy partner, :: CRONAN ::, Founder and president, Cronan Artefact
- Dr. Alan Hirsch - Neurological Director of the Smell & Taste Treatment and Research Foundation in Chicago
- Paul Hoffman - Explores the relationship between genius, madness, obsession and creativity, author, commentator
- Ryan Knighton - Writer and author
- Dave Lyon - Designer for General Motors
Emily Pilloton - Founder and executive director of Project H- Gong Szeto - Architect, designer, inventor, holds a U.S. patent in digital television, co-invented with Sony Corporation of America
- Allison Williams - Architect, design principal, Perkins+Will
For additional information about Cusp Conference 2009, visit the Web site or register online.
ABOUT
Cusp Conference is a project of SamataMason Inc. The firm's partners have always maintained that it is their connection to the energy, intelligence and spirit of great people doing extraordinary things that keeps them engaged, energized and innovative. Cusp Conference is their way of condensing the essence of their experiences into a format that can be enjoyed by a wider audience.