MFA Interaction Design Fall Lecture Series: Scott Thomas, “USAbility”
September 11, 2009
This fall, the MFA Interaction Design Department welcomes visiting lectures in an intimate twice-a-month series to inspire conversation, pursue change, and incite creation. Please join us to welcome Scott Thomas, Design Director for Obama for America:
USAbility
Scott Thomas the former design director at Obama for America will discuss how interaction design made a huge difference in the past election. All too often, discussions of analytics, click through rates, and search engine optimization cloud the important truth that online campaigns and communities are for human beings. Come discover how superior design, technological collaboration, and authentic messaging, can truly change the world.
About the Speaker
Scott Thomas, Obama for America, Design Director; The Post Family
Scott Thomas is constantly seeking the simplest answer to complex problems. Scott began his design pursuits studying architecture before bouncing to graphic design and web development.
Prior to moving to Chicago, where he set his sights on user-experience design, Scott called London’s Shoreditch home. From products to websites, Scott works to simplify the experience of use.
In 2006, he and five other creative types began a design collective, lovingly known as The Post Family. The group is devoted to supporting “family” member’s design habits-from silkscreen to letterpress, from illustration to blogging-in an effort to “get back to the hand.”
In 2007, Scott’s career took a dramatic leap when he was invited to join the New Media team at Obama for America. The chance encounter led Scott to becoming the Design Director of the historic Obama Presidential campaign. He is currently writing a book that explains how an obscure senator rose to the highest office in the land and celebrity status with the aid of branding and design.
Scott plans to continue designing for social causes that might just someday change the world.
Details
Wednesday, September 16
6-8PM
MFA Interaction Design Department
132 W 21st Street, 6 Floor
New York City
(View Map)
About MFA Interaction Design
The MFA in Interaction Design program trains students to research, analyze, prototype, and design concepts in their business, social, and cultural contexts. It explores the strategic role of interaction design in shaping everyday life, and intends to increase the relevancy of design to business and to society so designers can make a difference.
