From the Dean

Dear Friends,

For 75 years, The College of Design at NC State has channeled our creativity in service of a larger purpose, challenging ourselves to use the power of design to build a better tomorrow. We inspire our community to push past the questions of “what if?” or “how might we?” to see challenges with clarity, envision optimal outcomes, and lead the way to making them happen.

In looking back on our history, four themes emerged that have guided us to this day:

Intentional by Design: 75 years ago, we looked at the world around us and asked ourselves how we might best serve the people of our growing state as we enter a new era of postwar prosperity. In many ways, the establishment of the College of Design was a great design project itself, launching 75 years of people, ideas, and innovations that would change the face of the university, transform the city of Raleigh, strengthen the state of North Carolina, and shape the world we live in.

Innovative by Design: From the start, the college was created to be new and to address the needs of a changing world. To be both relevant and excellent, faculty and students had to break boundaries, push new models of thought, be bold, experimental and progressive – and demand mastery at the same time.

Inclusive by Design: Developing students capable of breaking new ground meant developing a different kind of learning environment and experience –multidisciplinary, interactive, engaged and vibrant. The learning environment at the college has always been a crucible for collisions of ideas, cooperation and collaboration grounded in a caring and compassionate community.

Influential by Design: As a force for shaping the world we live in, the College of Design has delivered on its founding mission to serve the needs of society. Our faculty have always been teachers who practice in their fields and our students have always had the opportunity to work hands-on to solve real problems and learn by doing while working together.

We do it all driven by the same sense of purpose that launched us 75 years ago: the belief that design is a force for good, that there are solutions to any challenge, and that we have the power to see and create change in our communities. That’s what it takes to design for tomorrow — and that’s leading by design.

— Mark Elison Hoversten, Ph.D., FASLA, FCELA, AICP, Assoc. AIA

Historical photos throughout this edition of Designlife Magazine are from the NC State Libraries’ Digital Collections: Rare and Unique Materials. 8,100 copies of this public document were printed at a cost of $1.75 per copy on post-consumer recycled content.

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