Former Director of AIGA Ric Grefé to Speak About Inclusive Design Thinking

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Ric Grefé
Ric Grefé

Ric Grefé, former executive director of the American Institute of Graphic Arts (AIGA) and Design Thinker in Residence at Williams College will be providing a talk and question and answer session on Thursday, April 23rd at noon. The talk will be held online and all members of the UMass community are welcome.

Greféhas been the Design Thinker in Residence at Williams College since 2017, exploring ways to introduce techniques for creative thinking and human-centered design across the Williams academic experience, working with faculty, students and staff. He has also taught a course entitled “Liberal Arts for Epic Challenges: Design Thinking for Social Change” at Wesleyan University and Williams. 

Previously, Greféwas executive director of AIGA, the professional association for design, for over twenty years during which time it became a leading advocate for the value of designing, as a way of thinking to encourage innovation in business, in civil society and for lasting social change. Before AIGA, he founded an urban design and public policy consulting firm and managed strategic planning and legislative advocacy for public television and radio in Washington, D.C.

He was also awarded the AIGA in 2016 medal for “his commitment to championing the rights of designers and increasing the awareness of the value of design in our everyday lives through his leadership at AIGA.” This medal is considered the most distinguished honor in the profession of communication design.

The event is being hosted by the Isenberg School of Management and the UMass Office of Equity and Inclusion.

Attendees can join online at https://umass-amherst.zoom.us/j/96962870314