Rolf Faste
Encyclopedia
Rolf A. Faste was an American designer who made major contributions to the field of human-centered design and design education
. He was director of the Stanford Joint Program in Design
from 1984-2003.
, the eldest child of Andreas Faste, a naval architect noted for his work on the MV Coho
ferry, and Edith Morch Faste, an artist. Interested from a young age with the intersection between art and engineering, he earned a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering from Stevens institute of Technology in 1965, a master's degree in engineering design from Tufts University in 1972, and a second bachelor's degree in architecture from Syracuse University in 1977. Faste's graduate thesis work on engineering creativity was advised by William J. J. Gordon
, the originator of Synectics
, and he was active in the field of accessible design in the early 1970s. As research associate on the ANSI
A117 project, he co-authored the national standards for accessibility to buildings.
from 1971–1984, where he taught classes on rapid visualization, prototyping, materials, computer-aided design, aesthetics and the creative process. During this time he also served as an UNESCO
consultant to the Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay, India.
At Stanford Faste was noted for his contributions to engineering education and design research
, developing courses to strengthen student's visual and creative skills such as Aesthetics of Machinery, Ambidextrous Thinking and Expression of Function. He was interested in exploring the way that the body and mind influence technical creativity, understanding needs and cultural meaning in the creation of products, and incorporating functional, aesthetic and humanistic concerns in design. He was a recipient of the Raymond J. Perrin Award for Teaching and Course Development, and held five patents and one patent pending for his innovations.
Design education
Design education is the teaching of theory and application in the design of products, services and environments. It encompasses various disciplines of design, such as graphic design, user interface design, web design, packaging design, industrial design, fashion design, information design, interior...
. He was director of the Stanford Joint Program in Design
Stanford Joint Program in Design
The Joint Program in Design is one of the professional schools of Stanford University, in Stanford, California. It is generally considered a leading design school in the United States. The school offers degrees in Mechanical Engineering and in Fine Arts/Design.-Background:The school was founded in...
from 1984-2003.
Early life and education
Faste was born in Seattle, WashingtonSeattle, Washington
Seattle is the county seat of King County, Washington. With 608,660 residents as of the 2010 Census, Seattle is the largest city in the Northwestern United States. The Seattle metropolitan area of about 3.4 million inhabitants is the 15th largest metropolitan area in the country...
, the eldest child of Andreas Faste, a naval architect noted for his work on the MV Coho
MV Coho
The M/V Coho is an auto ferry operated by Black Ball Line. Black Ball owns and operates this single ferry between Victoria, British Columbia and Port Angeles, Washington.-Construction and design:...
ferry, and Edith Morch Faste, an artist. Interested from a young age with the intersection between art and engineering, he earned a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering from Stevens institute of Technology in 1965, a master's degree in engineering design from Tufts University in 1972, and a second bachelor's degree in architecture from Syracuse University in 1977. Faste's graduate thesis work on engineering creativity was advised by William J. J. Gordon
William J. J. Gordon
William J. J. Gordon was an inventor and psychologist. He is recognized as the creator of a problem solving approach called synectics, which he developed while working in the Invention Design Group of Arthur D. Little....
, the originator of Synectics
Synectics
Synectics is a problem solving methodology that stimulates thought processes of which the subject may be unaware. This method was developed by George M. Prince and William J.J. Gordon, originating in the Arthur D. Little Invention Design Unit in the 1950s. They set up Synectics Inc...
, and he was active in the field of accessible design in the early 1970s. As research associate on the ANSI
Ansi
Ansi is a village in Kaarma Parish, Saare County, on the island of Saaremaa, Estonia....
A117 project, he co-authored the national standards for accessibility to buildings.
Career
Faste was a professor of design at Syracuse UniversitySyracuse University
Syracuse University is a private research university located in Syracuse, New York, United States. Its roots can be traced back to Genesee Wesleyan Seminary, founded by the Methodist Episcopal Church in 1832, which also later founded Genesee College...
from 1971–1984, where he taught classes on rapid visualization, prototyping, materials, computer-aided design, aesthetics and the creative process. During this time he also served as an UNESCO
UNESCO
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations...
consultant to the Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay, India.
At Stanford Faste was noted for his contributions to engineering education and design research
Design research
Design research investigates the process of designing in all its many fields. It is thus related to Design methods in general or for particular disciplines. A primary interpretation of design research is that it is concerned with undertaking research into the design process. Secondary...
, developing courses to strengthen student's visual and creative skills such as Aesthetics of Machinery, Ambidextrous Thinking and Expression of Function. He was interested in exploring the way that the body and mind influence technical creativity, understanding needs and cultural meaning in the creation of products, and incorporating functional, aesthetic and humanistic concerns in design. He was a recipient of the Raymond J. Perrin Award for Teaching and Course Development, and held five patents and one patent pending for his innovations.