There is no question in my mind the biggest influence on me and my attitude about design comes from a former professor of mine, Bernard Canniffe (http://cause-affect.org/do-gooders/peeps/bernard-canniffe.php). I had the luck of having him for two classes in undergrad where he taught me to love collaboration and constructive criticism and to reject and despise bullshit. Ive been even luckier to call him a friend since graduating and moving to Baltimore after he took a job at MICA.
Bernard has since moved on to Minneapolis, but while at MICA, Bernard dedicated himself to building a program around "Social Responsibility". I wont go into the details of his work because I think the scale of the work and clients as well as his theories about design speak for themselves. http://www.piecestudio.com/
It's hard to write about someone who has had the kind of influence Bernard has had on me. He is the reason I finished my undergrad program despite my terrible grades. He is the reason I chose to come to grad school. If I could model my career after anyone else's, it would probably be Bernard.
I hear his Welsh voice telling me "your project is pure shyte" when not putting forth the right effort and that during the rough times when I need motivation, "design is hard and if you dont like it, there is an easier job waiting for you at the grocery store."
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