Larry Laske

Born in Chicago, Illinois on March 18, 1963.  Recipient of  the Hallmark Honor Prize in 1980. Recipient of scholarships at both Northern Illinois University, Dekalb Illinois and University of Illinois
Champaign-Urbana, where he received his B.F.A. Industrial Design. In 1986 traveled to Domus Academy ( Milan, Italy ) for post-graduate studies in “ Scenografia Urbana “ ( urban scenograohy ) under Andrea Branzi, graduating with a Masters of Design. In 1987, collaborated with Ettore Sottsass ( Sottsass Associati ) in Milan. During his time with Ettore he was involved in projects including: Alessi, Enorme, Esprit, Philips, and Valli & Colombo. In 1988, exhibited two lamps in the last Memphis show “ Luci-Lights Memphis Milano “ . In 1988, moved to New York City to collaborate with Emilio Ambasz ( Emilio Ambasz Design Group ), involved in both product and interior design. In 1989, founded his design studio, concentrating on both product and interior design. Projects over the years include:  product development for: Alessi, Anta, Artemide, Baleri Italia, Dansk, Danese, Flos, Kartell, LucePlan, and Magis. In 1990, Philippe Starck produced one of his designs for OWO in Paris. 1991-1992 lived in Paris, France. In 1993, Knoll introduced the “ Cactus Collection “ a collection of side and occasional tables, which has received the following awards: the 1993 IBD Product Design Award U.S.A., the 1993 IIDEX Product Design Award Canada,  the 1993 IDEA Product Design Award, the INTERNATIONAL DESIGN MAGAZINE – 40th Annual Design Review Honorable Mention, and the 1995 GOOD DESIGN Award THE CHICAGO ANTHENAEUM Museum of Architecture and Design. The “ Catcus Collection “ was published in the 1995 INTERNATIONAL DESIGN YEARBOOK edited by Jean Nouvel. In 1993 exhibited “ Fantasy Objects “ Poltrona Frau ( Galleria Frau ) New York. In 1994 exhibited “ Vesuvious “ and ashtray for“ Art & Tabac “ curated by  Pierre Restany, at Galleria EOS in Milan, and  Palazzo delle Esposizioni di Riccione, Forli Italy, which received an honorable mention award. “ Vesuvious “ was published in the 1997 INTERNATIONAL DESIGN YEARBOOK edited by Philippe Starck. 1994 consultant for Helene Curtis. 1994-2000 consultant on various projects for  Herbst Lazar Bell Inc., Chicago, Illinois. 1995-1999 Production Manager at Vonco Products Inc., Lake Villa Illinois ( manufactures of thermoplastic custom packaging ) Lake Forest Graduate School of Management, Lake Forest Illinois. 1999-2000 IDEO Design and Product Development, Grand Rapids Michigan: hired to create a “ culture of innovation “ in Steelcase while leading projects inside IDEO, which included his key role in the March 6, 2000 Business Week article “ Agent “ Personal Digital Assistant of the future, which forecast future technologies in business and play tools. 2000-2001 lighting for Ingo Maurer, and consultant explorations of “ new platforms “ in systems, storage, and lighting for Haworth Inc., Holland Michigan. 2001 founded ProduchologyÒ www.produchology.com , first product being StandPlantÒ. On June 17, 2002 he moved to Blevio Italy, ( on Lago di Como ) to concentrate on several Italian manufactures, and as of October 6, 2004 his studio and home is in New York City. He has taught at Pratt Institute New York, Domus Academy Milan Italy, and Kendall College of Art and Design of Ferris State University Grand Rapids Michigan, and lectured at several national and international design schools. His work can be found in numerous publications, and in the permanent collection of the Musee de Arts Decoratif in Montreal Canada, The Chicago Anthenaeum Museum of Architecture and Design, and the Alessi Design Museum in Crusinallo Italy. Holder of several utility patents.