past leaders of design series

The annual CVA Leaders of Design Series showcases exemplary design in public lecture and exhibition series, demonstrating past accomplishments and current trends in apparel, architecture, furniture, graphic, illustration, industrial, interior, interactive, and product design.

WOMN: Women in Minnesota Design, 2011

CVA celebrated women who’ve helped put Minnesota on the map with graphic design that’s conceptual, meaningful, inspiring, hard working, and powerful. The series included a moderated panel discussion with noted designers Sue Crolick, Cynthia Knox, and Kelly Munson. Twenty-three industry-leading women were selected to exhibit their design work at the CVA Gallery from October 27 through November 13, 2011. Criteria for selection included leadership, innovation, influence, accolades for design excellence, and longevity in Minnesota. Read more.

Hatch Design, 2010

Joel Templin is the Creative Director and co-founder of Hatch Design. He has been recognized as one of the most sought-after design professionals in the country and continues to innovate and create distinctive work for both the world’s biggest brands and its newest upstarts. Templin spoke on September 22, 2010 and exhibited nearly two decades of creative work in an exhibition from September 23 – October 6, 2010. Read more.

Communication Arts Magazine, 2009

CVA featured guest lecturer Patrick Coyne, editor and designer of Communication Arts Magazine. Coyne spoke at an evening lecture on September 22, 2009 at the Minnesota History Center, and shared with us a 50th anniversary exhibition of the magazine at the CVA Gallery from September 23 – October 17, 2009. Communication Arts is the leading trade journal for visual communications and showcases top work in graphic design, advertising, illustration, photography, and interactive. Read more.

Blu Dot, 2008

This year's lecture and exhibition featured acclaimed Minneapolis design company Blu Dot. Known for its mantra, “to bring good design to as many people as possible,” Blu Dot has gained national recognition since it first appeared at the New York furniture fair in 1997. Accompanying the “No ‘I’ in Design” exhibition, held September 25 – October 18, was a lecture by Blu Dot’s John Christakos, president and designer, and Maurice Blanks, partner and designer. Read more.

365: AIGA Annual Design Exhibition and Steven Heller, 2007

The third exhibition in this series, “365: AIGA Annual Design Exhibition,” was held November 2-24, 2007. This exhibition featured the winners from AIGA’s annual suite of competitions widely recognized as the most discerning statement on design excellence today. CVA hosted this exhibition to honor the 30th anniversary of AIGA Minnesota. A public lecture featuring Steven Heller was held on November 1 at the Minnesota History Center. Guest lecturer for the series was Steven Heller, senior art director at The New York Times and the author, editor, or co-author of over 100 books on design. Mr. Heller is an AIGA Medalist honored for work that has been a major influence on design students and practitioners throughout the world.

Vanderbyl Design, 2006

“Reinvent,” the second annual CVA Leaders of Design Series exhibition, held in October 2006, featured the multidisciplinary work of distinguished San Francisco designer Michael Vanderbyl. CVA presented Vanderbyl, with introductory remarks by Ric Grefé, executive director of AIGA, the national professional association for design, in a sold-out lecture at the Minnesota History Center 3M Auditorium. An opening reception and month-long exhibition in the CVA Gallery of Vanderbyl Design’s influential design work accompanied the lecture.

Larsen, 2005

The CVA Leaders of Design Series began in October 2005 with “Ideas Made Visible,” a 30-year retrospective of the work of Larsen Design, a leading design and branding agency in Minneapolis. A public discussion between Larsen Design President Tim Larsen and CVA Graphic Design Chair John DuFresne accompanied an exhibition of Larsen’s design work in the CVA Gallery.