IDEO global design firm partner and UT alumnus Michael Hendrix will address students at this year’s Life of the Mind event at 5:30 p.m. on August 18 in Thompson-Boling Arena.
The event is just part of the Life of the Mind program, which includes a common reading selection for freshmen. This year’s book is Daytripper, a graphic novel by Fábio Moon and Gabriel Bá.
Faculty, staff, and graduate assistants are needed to serve as a discussion leaders for this year’s Life of the Mind program. To sign up to be a discussion leader, visit the First-Year Studies website. A copy of Daytripper will be delivered to all discussion leaders within two days of signing up.
The August 18 event brings all freshmen together to celebrate Life of the Mind and Daytripper.
Following a short message delivered via video by the authors, Hendrix will speak to students about his reactions to the book. The authors say their book is all about beginnings and choices. Hendrix, who graduated from UT in 1994 with a bachelor’s degree in graphic design, will discuss his beginnings at UT and in the corporate world, the choices he has made, and the success he has found by being creative.
According to IDEO’s website, Hendrix has co-founded an art school for high schoolers, created a professional design curriculum for undergraduates, and started two professional design societies and three businesses, including the firm Tricycle, which was recognized by Business Week and Fortune as a thought leader for sustainable design. He has worked with leading brands and organizations including Converse, Tempur Sealy, Steelcase, Eli Lilly, the DIY Network, Interface, and the Department of Homeland Security.