Lella and Massimo Vignelli Lella and Massimo Vignelli live and breathe design. Born and trained in Italy, they started their own office in Milan in 1961, and co-founded Vignelli Associates in New York ten years later. Their diverse design contributions have brought each of them international acclaim and numerous honors. Pursuing a multidisciplinary practice on...
Ieoh Ming Pei Ieoh Ming Pei’s long and distinguished career as one of our century’s most important architects began when he moved to the United States from his native China to study architecture at the age of 17. Since then he has completed a vast range of iconic designs for many powerful international clients, including...
DESIGN PATRON This award was created in 2001 to recognize outstanding support and patronage within the design community. Unlike the jury-selected National Design Awards, the recipient of the Design Patron Award was chosen each year by the Museum’s director. Gordon Segal When Gordon and Carole Segal returned from their honeymoon in 1961, they wondered why...
Target Target’s corporate emphasis on good design and aesthetics is central to its success as a business and a brand. As a “curator” of good design, the company commissions product lines by some of the most talented designers today – including Michael Graves, Philippe Starck, Isaac Mizrahi and Stephen Sprouse — to expand the store’s...
Billie Tsien and Tod Williams Billie Tsien and Tod Williams have worked together since 1977 and have deliberately stayed small, focusing on a few projects at a time and choosing to work slowly in a world characterized by speed. Their architectural designs are based on a profound sense of optimism and the conviction “that is...
Robert Greenberg A giant in his industry, Robert Greenberg keeps in tune with the constant evolution of the communications field and consistently maintains the highest standards of excellence and innovation. In 1977 when he co-founded his company, R/GA, with his brother, it was the first firm to bring print, television commercials and feature films under...
SPECIAL COMMENDATION FOR CORPORATE ACHIEVEMENT This award was given by the Jurors in recognition of outstanding achievements in the design stewardship of the public realm. General Services Administration’s Design Excellence Program The U.S. General Services Administration’s Design Excellence Program will be awarded a Special Commendation in the Corporate Achievement category. In 1961, Daniel Patrick Moynihan...
Michael Van Valkenburgh Michael Van Valkenburgh devotes himself to the practice of landscape architecture with great integrity and passion. A professor and mentor in Harvard’s Graduate School of Design for over twenty years, he has simultaneously carried out a prolific and diverse practice. Van Valkenburgh has designed and built more than 300 gardens; parks; and...
Tom Ford Tom Ford is a rare combination of a gifted designer and an astute businessman. He believes that “good design should have the power to communicate long after the original moment has passed.” Ford’s timeless designs beautify the body as they celebrate sensuality. They have attracted worldwide attention through his role as Creative Director...
