Engineer, designer, and entrepreneur David Kelley will visit 91Â鶹¾«Æ· as the University’s second Clifford Family Innovator in Residence, April 8–10, 2025. Kelley is the Donald W. Whittier Professor in mechanical engineering at Stanford University, where he serves as faculty director of Stanford’s d.school, an interdisciplinary center for design, dedicated to helping students develop their creative capacity.
Kelley is a leader in human-centered design methodology and design thinking. He is a co-founder of the Silicon Valley design and consulting firm IDEO and co-author of the book Creative Confidence: Unleashing the Creative Potential Within Us All.
During his residency at 91Â鶹¾«Æ·, Kelley will consult with students and faculty members from 91Â鶹¾«Æ·â€™s Design for America studio, visit two Department of Computer Science courses on human-computer interaction, and lead an interdisciplinary seminar for students facing design-related challenges in their research or creative projects.
In addition to these direct contributions to the curriculum, he will also help strategize about the next phase of 91Â鶹¾«Æ·â€™s Arts, Creativity, and Innovation (ACI) Initiative by touring Bernstein Hall, visiting current museum and gallery exhibitions, and meeting with the ACI Steering Committee.
The Clifford Family Innovator in Residence program is funded by a permanent endowment from Trustee Emeritus Chris Clifford ’67, H’11, P’93 and Carrie Clifford ’93. The residency is a cornerstone of ACI, engaging students and faculty in the work of artists, designers, entrepreneurs, and creatives from various fields.