Allen Samuels

Statement:

Professor Samuels has worked as an Industrial Designer since 1966. He has designed and developed new products for twenty-eight corporations. His work includes the design of consumer cookware, scientific instruments, medical packaging, products and systems, heavy industrial equipment, transportation, lighting , furniture and more.

Professor Allen Samuels first taught at Carnegie Mellon University and then joined the University of Michigan in 1975. He has contributed to the development of the Industrial Design program in the School of Art & Design and initiated a dual degree undergraduate program linking Industrial Design and Mechanical Engineering.

In 1993, he served as the Dean of the School of Art & Design and under his leadership, the school developed a number of new areas which brought the School of Art & Design recognition within the university and nationally. In 1999, he returned to the faculty and to private practice as an Industrial Designer.

As a designer, he feels strongly about designing original, inventive and culturally responsible products. He places emphasis on the purpose, place, and value of his designs as they serve individual users, clients, and society at large. He works to create designs that through their form, communicate the qualities inherent in that product inviting appropriate understanding and actions from those who use his product designs.