In 2007 IDSA Midwest District launched the Midwest Honors, sponsored by Herman Miller. This juried awards program celebrates the past, present and future of Midwestern design by honoring a single outstanding practicing designer, an outstanding educator and an outstanding student.

Winners for 2007 include the following:

Scott Wilson (Scott Wilson USA) – Outstanding Design Professional

Dale Fahnstrom (The Institute of Design, IIT) – Outstanding Design Educator

Scott Collins (Purdue University) – Outstanding Design Student

Each year, a jury of design leaders selects the winning professional and educator from among the nominations submitted by district members. These two winners identify the outstanding student from among the winners of the Midwest IDSA Merit Award, and announce their decision at the annual Midwest District Conference.

The 2008 Jury Members include the following:

Jonathon Kemnitzer, Founder Kem Studio

Cooper C. Woodring, Former IDSA Executive Director

Scott Wilson, Founder Scott Wilson USA

Dale Fahnstrom, Professor, Institute of Design, IIT

Nominations are now being accepted for the 2008 Midwest Honors Award for Outstanding Design Professional and Outstanding Design Educator. This is a great way to pay tribute to a mentor, partner or colleague who has helped make our region a vibrant design center. Please contact midwest_honors@idsa.org to learn more about this exciting award.


Criteria for the Midwest Honors Professional Award

The recipient should embody great design and be widely regarded as a significant influence on the field worldwide. He/she should be well published and his/her work should be considered best in class. Judging for the Professional Award will include the following criteria:

      - Has / had a professional design* practice in IL, WI, MN, KA, IN, MO
      - A person(s) with a career of at least 15 years and who has strong ties to the Midwest
      - His/her work has been referenced or noted as influential by contemporaries
      - Work may span multiple categories (furniture, product, packaging, etc)
      - Practicing or Retired

      * Formal ID training is not required, but the nominee must have focused on ID
         within career


Criteria for the Midwest Honors Education Award

The recipient should embody great design education. He/she should be well published and have continually challenged existing design methodologies. He/she must also provide long term mentorship for their students and faculty. Judging for the Education Award will include the following criteria:

      - Must have taught in IL, WI, MN, KA, IN, MO for a significant portion of their career
      - Career of at least 15 years
      - Referenced as being inspirational to other faculty and students
      - Highly published (professional work and/or writing)
      - Coursework may span multiple categories
      - Practicing or retired