John Berry
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Director, Design West Michigan
Holland
A former Herman Miller executive, Berry also served as the liaison for the Eames Office. Through Design West Michigan and its affiliation with Kendall College of Art and Design, Berry has helped the school create a collaborative design degree.
“I think growth in the economy is in a state of ready. However, political party bickering and a focus on ‘risk management’ can keep business decision making on hold. I do not think the issue is available resources, nor a lack of good ideas, but hesitancy to consider investment in long-term growth in an economy that measures itself by the minute. Risk aversion keeps good ideas from moving forward and new markets from being developed.
For design and designers, 2012 could be a good year. Some of the most innovative designs have come out of economically difficult times. There is also the growing understanding that design is about making something better and/or meeting new needs, not just styling. And there are numerous new collaborative design and business educational programs growing in West Michigan. There’s a lot of good design work waiting to be exposed to the market. Companies have been working to find new products meeting new and ever-changing needs and are ready to introduce new items and services when they see an economic turning point. My hope would be that a few organizations would take that leap, become very successful and set a comparative comfort level for others to do the same.”