Industrial Design Conference Comes to James Madison University

The Industrial Designers Society of America chapter at James Madison University, together with JMU’s School of Art, Design, and Art History, will host the 2021 JMU Conference, “Beyond the Box,” Nov. 12-13. This is the first time JMU will host the event, which will bring design professionals and students throughout the South and mid-Atlantic to a packed schedule of speakers, portfolio critiques, workshops, and networking events.

Martin Kastner joins the conference as part of the endowed Dorothy Liskey Wampler Distinguished Professorship that brings visiting artists, scholars and critics to JMU each year. Kastner is a blacksmith turned food designer based in Chicago and Lyon, France. He is the founder of the award-winning brand Crucial Detail, which has explored the synergy of food and design for nearly 20 years.  He works at the forefront of fine dining through collaborations with the world’s best chefs. Martin is best known for his Alinea service ware concepts, which landed him on The Future Laboratory’s list of 100 most influential individuals in contemporary design.  

Kastner will have an exhibition of his design work in Duke Hall’s Grace Street Gallery during the conference through Dec. 1. In addition, student-run ArtWorks Gallery will have ID@ArtWorks, an exhibition that follows the industrial design process from sketches and prints to models and large installation pieces

The conference is rare chance for students to get their work in front of design professionals from companies like Crucial Detail, Rain Agency, IBM Garage, Loop, Design Within Reach, Hightower, Hamilton Beach, TTi, and more. This feedback and networking are an invaluable help to design students launch their careers. 

Information about additional speakers, topics and tickets is available at idsajmu.org. 

Associate Professor Audrey Barnes established the Industrial Design major at JMU in 2015. Offering a Bachelor of Science degree, the program has grown to more than 60 students. The IDSA student chapter at JMU aims to foster strong social, educational and professional bonds within and beyond the industrial design community at JMU.