Brook Kennedy
Brook Kennedy is an award-winning product designer, university researcher and inventor with twenty years of experience. Founded in inclusive, human-centered design practices with Smart Design, OXO, Michael Graves Design and others, he has helped define some of the world's most recognized brands, commercializing more than 60 mass-produced products, many which continue to be successful after years on the market. Today, in addition to advising roles with companies, startups and NGOs, he is also co-founder of the BioDesign Research Group, a sponsored research consortium exploring the intersection of biology and design with a focus on next-generation renewable materials and resource management. Many of these projects have been covered in international media and publications including the New York Times, NPR, PBS Newshour, BBC, Czech National Radio, Design Boom, CNN, Ingeniøren, the Washington Post, Fast Company, the Boston Globe and the Verge. His work has been exhibited at the Smithsonian, ICFF, Budapest Design Week among other venues.
Kennedy also mentors the next generation of designers with principles of life-centered design, to leverage design and emerging technology responsibly for the benefit of entire living ecosystems, not humans alone. Originally from New York City, he teaches at the School of Design at Virginia Tech where he enjoys being a pedestrian in a small, college town. Kennedy was educated at Reed College in Portland, Oregon and earned his Master's in Design at Stanford University in California.
Bio Design, Sustainability, Alternative Technology, Life-Centered Design, Human-Centered Design
IDS 3224/ARCH 5974 Applied BioDesign
IDS 4015/4016; 4th Year ID LAB
IDS 4044; Professional Practice
IDS 3224; Portfolio
2022 European Product Design Award, Professional Category, Lisbon Bio-composite Cork Chair, USA
2022 University Research and Innovation Excellence Award, Virginia Tech, USA
2019 Finite Water, Documentary Film, Acknowledgement, Fog Harp
2020 IDSA IDEA Finalist, Professional Category, Fog Harp, USA
2020 Autodesk Technology Center Resident, Fog Harp, Boston, USA
2019 Smithsonian Lemelson Center for Innovation Exhibit, Fog Harp, USA
2018 IDSA International Design Conference EDU Symposium Best Paper, New Orleans, USA
2018 A’ Design Award Soli light, Nokero Solar, Italy
2018 A’ Design Silver Award for Folium Bioinspired hydrophobic bike seat concept, Italy
2018 National Collegiate Inventors Competition, Finalist, Fog Harp, USA
2018 Institute for Creativity Arts and Technology, Innovation Award, Fog Harp, USA
2018 Budapest Design Week, Macronaut smartphone loupe, Hungary
2017 Nokero Solar, Laudato ‘Si Accelerator Honoree, Vatican City
2017 Eleven Biomimicry Competition, Honourable Mention, UK
2017 A’ Design Silver Award for Macronaut smartphone loupe, Italy
2015 Finalist, Highway1 Hardware Accelerator, San Francisco, USA
2013 Consumer Reports, Best Pick, OXO tot Sprout Chair, USA
2012 IDEA Award, Gold, OXO tot Perch Booster Seat, USA
2012 Spark Award, OXO tot Perch Booster Seat, USA
2012 Chicago Athenaeum, Good Design Award, OXO tot Perch Booster Seat, USA
2012 iF Award, OXO tot Sprout High Chair, Germany
2012 iF Award, OXO tot Feeding Line, Germany
2012 IDEA Award, Bronze, OXO tot Feeding Line, USA
2012 IDEA Award, Finalist, OXO tot Bath Organizer, USA
2011 Red Dot “Best of the Best” Award, OXO tot Sprout High Chair, Germany
2011 Red Dot Award, OXO tot Feeding Line, Germany
2011 IDEA Award, Silver, OXO tot Sprout High Chair, USA
2011 IDEA Award, Finalist, OXO tot Feeding Line, USA
2010 JPMA Innovation Award, OXO tot mini Dishwasher Basket, USA
2010 Cooper Hewitt National Design Award, Product Design, Smart Design, USA (While at Smart Design)
2005 Chicago Athenaeum, Good Design Award, Michael Graves Elevated Dog Feeder for Target, USA
2005 Olympus Fashion Week Runway show of Michael Graves Design Group for Target Pet Accessories, NYC, USA
1998 Telly Award, Nabisco Exact Change Promo, USA
Education
M.F.A., Design, Stanford University
B.A. Art and Art History, Reed College
