Preserving Design and Retail Innovation: The Design Guys, Michael Graves, and Target
To improve collections care and management through proper storage.
$4,500,000 the first year and $6,500,000 the second year are for history programs and projects operated or conducted by or through local, county, regional, or other historical or cultural organizations or for activities to preserve significant historic and cultural resources. Funds are to be distributed through a competitive grant process. The Minnesota Historical Society must administer these funds using established grant mechanisms, with assistance from the advisory committee created under Laws 2009, chapter 172, article 4, section 2, subdivision 4, paragraph (b), item (ii).
Available upon request. grants@mnhs.org
Preface: This project is to be completed in two phases; cabinets purchased in Phase 1 have housed the majority of the flat packaging. Phase 2 will house the remainder of the flat packaging and three-dimensional products.
Phase 1 completed: House the majority of the Target/Graves/Design Guys collaboration flat packaging.
Outcome: This collection has broad appeal to the many disciplines taught within the College of Design such as Graphic Design, Product Design and Retail Merchandising. The impact of this project can be measured by the use of this collection in classes, research and the preservation of the objects for future generations. Within the last six months, Graves/Target/Design Guys objects were used in the History of Product Design Spring Semester 2019 and Design Guys principal Steve Sikora presented to the class. Additionally a selection of Graves objects are currently the subject of a small collections display curated by a UMN design graduate student looking at the Graves? as a product designer versus architect, and his transition from work with upscale Italian design firm ?Alessi? to American discount retailer Target Corporation. The Michael Graves home product line was critical in supporting Target?s goal of becoming known as an arbiter of design, and served as a tangible group of products that echoed their assertion that America has a ??love affair with good design?. (images of display in report attachments). GMD is also planning an exhibition based on these objects within the next 2 years. The exhibition will explore the origin of the 13-year relationship between the retailer Target and architect/industrial designer Michael Graves and the involvement of the branding firm Design Guys.
Available upon request, grants@mnhs.org