We are so excited to introduce this month’s host and sponsor, IIT Institute of Design. They have generously offered for both roles, and we could not be happier to have them on board to support this month’s talk. IIT Institute of Design is a highly ranked graduate-only design school located right here in Chicago with a range of Masters programs and even a PhD program in design, and they have some pretty cool stuff going on. So, without further adieu, here is a message that they wanted to share with you all:

Throughout the centuries, communities around the world have gathered to build together. Everyone had a job and everyone pitched in. A few days later, the people would step back, the dust would settle, and a new barn would stand in their place.

We’re not planning on building any barns in the middle of Chicago, but we are planning on coming together to make some awesome stuff. Meet BarnRaise, a new event run by graduate students at the IIT Institute of Design.From our roots as the New Bauhaus, IIT Institute of Design has always believed in the power of making. Today, as the United States’ largest graduate-only design school, we still love creating things. You can find us in the shop or mocking up a foam core model, but you can also find us building a framework to develop a company’s strategic plan. We advocate creating in the tension between theory and practice, form and function. That’s where great design lives.BarnRaise is a new, immersive, two-and-a-half day experience that combines the best of thought leadership with the energy of building physical and digital prototypes. Designers and other problem-solvers (from Chicago and beyond) will form teams that are hosted by leading design firms around the city.  Each team will then be partnered with a local organization to design solutions around specific challenges related to urban safety. Mornings will start with energizing talks before we head off to our respective project bays. We’ll build until the final bell rings, at which point, we’ll gather and proudly display our prototypes in a public exhibit for all to see. Concepts will be shared. Local partners will be equipped. Cheering will ensue.We’d love for you to join us in our first BarnRaise. Check the ID website for more information and please be in touch if you’d like to be involved. We’re looking forward to designing tomorrow with you.
So we would like to say a big thank you to IIT Institute of Design for making our event possible. We couldn’t do it without their help. If you are interested in learning more about IIT Institute of Design or BarnRaise please check out their respective sites. We hope to see you all May 23 for Victor Saad’s talk on Freedom at IIT ID! Registration for this month’s event opens on Monday, May 19 at 11:00 AM CDT.