About DMI - DMI Staff

Earl Powell

Earl N. Powell is President Emeritus of DMI and served as president of the Institute from 1985-2005. During his tenure, many innovative programs have been initiated, and the Institute has developed an international reputation for excellence in design management research, scholarship, and world-class educational programs.

Powell founded the Design Management Review and established the Institute’s Case Study Program, which produces teaching cases distributed worldwide by Harvard Business School Publishing. He initiated the TRIAD Design Project in collaboration with the Harvard Business School; founded the International Forum on Design Management Research & Education; and serves on numerous boards, including the European Academy of Design, the Japan Institute of Design, and the German Design Council. He has worked to ensure that the Institute’s Web site serves the worldwide design and design management communities.

He holds an undergraduate degree in industrial design, an MA and MFA in painting, and has worked as an industrial designer, design manager, artist, college instructor, and academic dean. In the fall of 2002 Powell received an honorary doctor of letters from the University of Westminster for his numerous contributions to design management. He is also a frequent lecturer and design management consultant.