UC celebrates 150 years of design

The University of Cincinnati's College of Design, Architecture, Art, and Planning Dean Tim Jachna and DAAP's Myron E. Ullman, Jr., School of Design Director Gjoko Muratovski invite the campus community to join with the college in celebrating a heritage of Cincinnati design that stretches back 150 years.

Throughout the modern history of design in the region, there were a number of design schools that shaped the field in one way or another. While some were experimental, others were more grounded and had a very practical focus. Only some of these early-day mavericks survived the test of time, remained true to their original mission and continue to thrive today. The Myron E. Ullman, Jr. School of Design is one of these schools.

Founded in 1869, (50 years earlier than Germany's Bauhaus) a predecessor institution —The McMicken School of Design — offered one of the first university-based design programs in the United States. This school was originally part of the university, and its history is rich and complex, closely mirroring the politics, social fabric and fluctuating state of economy of its time. While that predecessor institution later became a free-standing one in the city, the longevity of industry-focused design in Cincinnati persists through time and continues to be integrated into the university’s fabric in the form of today’s design programs.

This year, as DAAP's School of Design celebrates 150 years of design legacy, the school will take a look back at its history in order to envisage the future, with a number of events.

Oct. 3, 2019
Launch of new Ullman Design Museum (Open House): Housed at the Executive Suite in the School of Design, the purpose of the Ullman Design Museum is to preserve and celebrate the design legacy created by alumni.

The “150 Years of Fashion” Exhibit (Open House): A curated exhibition of the historical garments collection, showcasing the evolution of fashion over the span of our existence.

The “150 Years of Design” Commemorative Lecture: This year’s Global Chatterjee Lecture will be delivered by the world-renowned design theorist and researcher Ken Friedman. The lecture, titled “Design Education Today: Challenges, Opportunities, Failures,” will also serve as the 150th anniversary Commemorative Lecture.

Oct. 3-4, 2019
Ullman School of Design Open House: As a part of the E2C Campus Recruiting Experience, visiting industry partners are invited to the school's new labs and facilities.

Oct. 10, 2019
Ullman School of Design at the World Design Organization: Introduction of the School of Design as a new member of the World Design Organization at the World Design Assembly in Hyderabad, India.

Oct. 30, 2019
Book launch: “The Making of an American Design School” by Gjoko Muratovski: The book celebrates 150 years of design legacy at the University of Cincinnati, marks the present activities at The Myron E. Ullman, Jr. School of Design and outlines the future of this great institution.

Nov. 21-22, 2019
Celebrating Together: 150 Years of Design at UC and 60 Years of Design of Barbie: A public lecture and master class by Robert Best, designer of Barbie’s Signature Collection.