Exhibit showcases good design

Among the Iowa products displayed are Jenn-Air's new Attrezzi line of small appliances.

by Teddi Barron
Three leading Iowa manufacturers show how good product design is good for business at a unique exhibt at the College of Design that runs through Feb. 22.

"Good Design. Good Business" showcases design excellence of The HON Co. and Allsteel Inc., Muscatine; John Deere, Waterloo; and Maytag Corp., Newton.

Each company tells the story of a product's development from concept to promotion. Among the products displayed is John Deere's prototype of a driverless tractor, Maytag's new Neptune Drying Center and complete suites of HON and Allsteel office furniture.

"These Iowa companies are known throughout the world for their design and manufacturing excellence," said Cameron Campbell, assistant professor of architecture and an organizer of the exhibit. "The goal of this exhibition is to illustrate the intellectual and physical process of developing a concept and moving through the research and design stages to product launch and promotion. We want our students to see that some of the very best examples of this fascinating process happen right here in Iowa."

"Good Design. Good Business" is in Gallery 181 on the first floor of the College of Design building. Hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Thursday; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Friday; and 1 to 4 p.m., Saturday and Sunday. Admission is free.

The HON Company's Perpetual line of professional office furniture that features lightweight construction and offers mobile and flexible office designs.

Additional features of the exhibit include:

• The new John Deere 7920 tractor, on the front lawn of the Design Building. In the gallery is a hood from a 7920, along with the driverless tractor and a kiosk explaining the role of design in John Deere's success.
  
  
• In addition to the Neptune Drying Center and a Wide-By-Side refrigerator, Maytag displays products from Jenn-Air's new line of small appliances. The display uses individual products to illustrate the role of design in differentiating brands.
  
  
• Allsteel depicts the two-year development of its hyper-ergonomic #19 office chair by industrial designer Marcus Koepke and the Allsteel engineering team. It also shows configurable office systems and explains the quality of fabrication and innovative techniques -- from Pantone color matching to high-end wood veneers .
  
  
• HON displays its award-winning Perpetual line of professional office furniture, focusing on flexibility and mobility for a range of office situations.

The exhibit gave ISU interior design students an opportunity for real-world experience. The students in art and design professor Dorothy Fowles' lighting design class worked with exhibit organizers to design museum lighting for the gallery.

The exhibit is part of the College of Design's Silver Anniversary celebration, which features notable speakers and special exhibitions throughout the year.