David Kelley, Donald W. Whittier Professor in Mechanical Engineering and founder of IDEO

After earning his master's in 1978 from Stanford's Joint Program in Design Professor Kelley started his own design firm, IDEO, a worldwide leader in the user-centered design of products, services, and environments.  IDEO is recognized as much for its process and culture as for its work.  Kelley also began teaching design at Stanford in 1978, and became a tenured professor in 1991.  Kelley founded Stanford's d.school (the Hasso Plattner Institute of Design), and is on a mission to add "design thinking" to Stanford's existing competence of teaching analytical thinking."  This will result in  students who create delightful design experiences and embrace and promote a culture of innovation.  Kelley is an advisor to the Revs Program.