Dakota Jackson named honorary chair of furniture design at SCAD

Furniture Today Staff -- Furniture Today, January 31, 2013

Dakota Jackson

SAVANNAH, Ga. — Design icon Dakota Jackson has joined the Savannah College of Art and Design as honorary chair of furniture design.

During his two-year appointment, Jackson will mentor students from the university's undergraduate and graduate furniture design programs as they learn technical skills and develop a design aesthetic. He'll also focus on strengthening the programs' emphasis on the business of design.

"Viewing the historical, cultural, market and technological landscape of design from different vantage points, in addition to developing essential skill sets, is critical to making informed career decisions," Jackson said in a press release. "Partnering with SCAD, given our shared educational interests, is the perfect forum."

Jackson said his mission has been to make quality custom furniture widely available to designers, architects and their clients.

His commissions include work for Yoko Ono and John Lennon, luxury hotels, cruise ships, and public and university libraries, among others.

Jackson will continue his professional design work in New York while at SCAD's School of Building Arts.

"SCAD students are fortunate to learn from an artist of Dakota's caliber, and his impact on our university community will surely resonate for decades to come," said Paula Wallace, president and co-founder of SCAD.

The college is planning a retrospective exhibition of Jackson's work to be exhibited at the SCAD Museum of Art during his tenure.