T R I B U TE
REMEMBERING COOPER WOODRING, FIDSA
I
n 2021, the design world lost one of the greats, Cooper Woodring, FIDSA. He meant so much to so many, and his list of accomplishments and successes over the years is impressive, to say the least. Cooper’s contributions to our profession and to IDSA make him truly one of the great pioneers of design. But Cooper was so much more than that. He was a mentor, a confidant, and, most importantly, a thoughtful and unforgettable friend. The pages that follow could easily be filled with Cooper’s many notable and impressive accomplishments, but it seems more fitting to describe who Cooper was by capturing fond memories from just a few of his many close friends. We’re certain Cooper would approve! Cooper was my dear friend and mentor and a solid voice of reason. I have so many fond memories of him, and I will miss being able to pick up the phone for honest advice and direction. Cooper was always willing to help and so generous with his time, especially when it came to IDSA or anything design related. I was always impressed by the level of enthusiasm and effort he gave no matter the cause. In 2009, as a favor to me, he spoke at the IDSA Midwest District Conference. He treated it no differently than if he were getting ready to address Congress. His level of detail, care, and concern for the topic was more than impressive. His presentation was about the “7 Deadly Sins of Management.” I remember asking him what message he wanted the audience to walk away with. His response was, “It is easier to learn not to do something verses how difficult it is to learn to do something.” His words were profound. That presentation will always hold significance to me, not only because of the content but also because of the jest that followed years later. Shortly after I became an IDSA Fellow in 2016, I received a package from Cooper. The
24
IDSA.ORG
package held a handwritten card congratulating me on my fellowship, and to my surprise, Cooper had gifted me the original notecards from his “7 Deadly Sins of Management” presentation. To this day, those notecards are proudly displayed in my home. Cooper has shown us that there is no time stamp on people and as designers we can maintain our relevancy and creative edge long into our golden years. He knew how to communicate with all ages, and he had a special way of making you just a little bit better by being your friend. I am grateful to Cooper for so many things, and I will miss him dearly. —Kevin Shinn, FIDSA An elegant and gracious gentleman, Cooper gave his full attention when listening to a person and would comment thoughtfully with wit and wisdom. Beloved for his laughter and storytelling, he drew lessons from every chance encounter and experience, whether it was serving as a volunteer firefighter in the 1970s or testifying in a high-stakes court case. Unfailingly generous with his time and guidance, Cooper educated and helped me in many ways. Over the years, he surprised me with many gifts, such as a beautiful Art Deco appliance made in Chicago and historical material from his time at JCPenney. But the most treasured gift Cooper ever gave was his time. While attending the 2017 IDSA Conference in Atlanta, I was lucky enough to spend a precious afternoon with him as he reflected on his life. During our conversation, Cooper mentioned a pivotal moment in his childhood. He said that he always felt different and was ridiculed by the popular kids at school. At 13, he said he rode his bike past the home of family friend and
