Editor’s Note: An Eye for Design

When i first came to seattle in 1989, I was struck by the regions natural beauty but puzzled by the general lack of interest in design. Although we had rich forest resources, few companies produced high-end wood products. While Microsoft was filled with brilliant engineers, it had an utter disregard for the look and ease of use of its products. Residents even displayed a perverse pride in dressing unfashionably.

That situation is slowly beginning to change. Two years ago, we did a cover story (Fashion Forward, March 2012) that revealed a vibrant Seattle fashion scene that includes such large players as Tommy Bahama as well as a flourishing industry of fashion designers in small firms producing great work.

Whats happening in fashion is one small part of a much broader recognition here of the power and importance of design. While REI and Nordstrom design terrific clothes, they are now

also leaders in store design. Following Apples amazing success, Microsoft has finally begun to put a higher priority on designing hardware and software products that are more attractive and easier to use. And whether youre looking for great lamps, beautiful tables or manufactured homes, there is now a growing selection of elegant, locally made products to choose from.

Thats wonderful news, because well-designed products make better use of resources, increase productivity, boost competitiveness and make life more enjoyable.

The truth, of course, is that Seattle has long had something that prepared us well for the rising role of design: Whether were talking about sailboats, sculpture or jewelry, people in this area love to make things. We have a unique blend of design craft and design tech here in Seattle that you dont see anywhere else, says Aaron Shurts, president of the Seattle chapter of AIGA, the professional association for design. There are designers who have fully functioning letterpress studios in their garages and work by day for some of the largest tech corporations in the world and, on the weekends, hand-press business cards and wedding invitations for fun.

We at Seattle Business magazine will do our part to encourage better design by identifying local companies doing outstanding work. Were also trying to do a better job with our own publication. This months feature on design (page 34) coincides with a redesign of Seattle Business by Matt Cole, our art director. We hope you agree that the new design brings an elegance and boldness to the magazine that is in keeping with the intelligence and sophistication of our business readers. This issue also begins our 25th year in existence as a business publication, when factoring in the history of Washington CEO, which merged with Seattle Business in 2008. We look forward to many more years as we follow this business communitys journey toward greater use of design and creativity to take on the challenges of the future.