IDSA’s Los Angeles chapter has a track record of inspiration and education.  Their main attraction is the Designers in Their Own Words biweekly and weekly series, which is off to a quick start this year.

The series occurs through the Duncan Anderson Design Lecture Series at California State University, Long Beach. These ongoing design lectures are set to rival those at private design schools. The CSULB Industrial Design Program is working closely with IDSA-LA, and its student chapters, to schedule an exciting line-up of speakers.

Thursday, February 14th, 7:00 - 9:30pm

In The Duncan Anderson Design Department Gallery at California State University, Long Beach

Shane Kohatsu shares the lessons he has learned on his journey from Tokyo to Portland, from athlete to designer, and from punk to corporate leader.

Thursday, February 21st, 7:00 - 9:30pm

In The Duncan Anderson Design Department Gallery at California State University, Long Beach

Cartoonist, writer, storyteller, and creative thinking consultant, Jon Pearson, will demonstrate some “off-road” drawing techniques that show how drawing may be the most powerful ideation tool ever invented. You will discover some fun, simple, revolutionary ways to use drawing to think more richly, rapidly, and deeply about anything. You will see how to use drawing to say unsayable things in unforgettable ways.

Thursday, February 7th, 7:00 - 9:30pm

In The Duncan Anderson Design Department Gallery at California State University, Long Beach

 Whether you're working globally or locally with renowned design teams or are just making a name for yourself how do you go about winning work? You know your craft and believe in your point of view as a designer, but how can you be more successful in winning desired commissions? The answers aren't all in the design. This lecture explores the interstitial areas related to the business of design and what practitioners need to understand regarding human factors, brand positioning, creative authority, current events and stakeholder decision making.

Thursday, January 31th, 7:00 - 9:30pm

In The Duncan Anderson Design Department Gallery at California State University, Long Beach

Sixty years ago, young geeky boys built rocket models and read Isaac Asimov. Twenty years later, they watched Star Trek, dreaming of hand-held Communicators. Now, the world is in bits and bytes and AT&T sponsors billions of Communicators.

Tuesday, January 29th, 7:00 - 9:30pm

In The Duncan Anderson Design Department Gallery at California State University, Long Beach

Miguel Angel Galluzzi is an industrial designer, specializing in motorcycle design, who created the Ducati Monster, an "instant icon that singlehandedly launched the naked bike niche."

Thursday, December 6th, 7:00 - 9:30pm

In the Duncan Anderson Design Department Gallery at California State University, Long Beach

Dave Okada tells us why he likes toys and about the importance of toys and designing products for children. He presents an overview of the toy industry and compares it to other “more glamorous” product industries.

Thursday, November 29th, 7:00 - 9:30pm

 In the Duncan Anderson Design Department Gallery at California State University, Long Beach

Ben Hopson presents the theory and practice of Kinetic Design, which involves the aesthetic design of physical movement. Numerous examples of student and professional work will be shown to help illustrate the relevance of Kinetic Design practice to the field of Industrial Design.

Thursday, November 15th, 7:00 - 9:30pm

Howdy! How Design Communicates

In the Duncan Anderson Design Department Gallery at California State University, Long Beach

What does your design say? Is it just working, is it a mute drone or can it speak? Is your design eloquent, fluent... interesting? Does it tell a story? What does it reveal to the user?

Thursday, November 8th, 7:00 - 9:30pm

Designing the Cycling Experience

In the Duncan Anderson Design Department Gallery at California State University, Long Beach

Erik Klemm and Daniel Lentz present an overall look at the design and development of bicycle and component design – the history and makeup of Giant Bicycle, the largest manufacturer of bikes in the world, and how our culture plays into our process.