Remembering Chuck Harrison 1932–2018
Charles “Chuck” Harrison (September 23, 1931 – November 29, 2018) was a influential African-American industrial designer and educator based in Chicago. During the course of a prolific career, most of which was at the helm of the in-house design group of Sears & Roebuck, Chuck designed many iconic objects of everyday life in mid-century America. Perhaps best known for his 1958 redesign of the View-Master stereoscope, Harrison designed more than 700 consumer products from hairdryers to trashcans to tractors.
Dedicated to the education of creative professionals, Harrison taught industrial design at UIC as well as the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and Columbia College.
In 2014, Project Osmosis and the UIC School of Design announced a scholarship program named for this design visionary who connects our shared goals and ambitions. The UIC Osmosis Charles Harrison Scholarship is designed to bridge creative excellence identified in Osmosis youth programs with the mentorship and financial support that will guarantee success in advanced design studies at the University of Illinois at Chicago.
We ask that you join UIC Design in honoring Chuck’s legacy by donating to this fund that directly supports our underrepresented minority students. Donate here.
Photo: Tim Klein
Photo: Tim Klein