Designer Chris Lefteri to speak at Leeds Beckett

The event, which is open to the public, will be held from 1-2pm on Thursday 26 February in Lecture Theatre A of the University’s City Campus Rose Bowl building. No booking is required.

An internationally-recognised authority on materials and the application of materials in design, Chris has published eight books on design and material innovation, which have been translated into five languages. Over the last decade they have been instrumental in changing the way designers view and use materials.

Speaking ahead of the event, Chris commented: “During the lecture I will discuss how materials have become such an important part of design, culture and business over the last ten years as well as how have materials-centric stories evolved over the last 50 years.”

Chris Lefteri

Chris is editor and creative director of Ingredients magazine, which has a subscription of more than 5000 designers across the world. He has delivered lectures and workshops for amongst others: Nike, BMW, Philips Design, LG Electronics, Samsung, Dyson, Hyundai. His studio, Chris Lefteri Ltd., also works with major material suppliers such as Corning Glass, Eastman Chemicals and Exxon Mobil helping them to market their products to the design industry.

The event forms part of the Inside Out guest lecture programme, hosted by the University's School of Art, Architecture & Design (AAD), which runs until Thursday 26 March. Other high profile speakers in the series include: fashion and textile designer, Jane Bowler, whose clients include music stars Lady Gaga, Rita Ora and Ellie Goulding, on Thursday March 5 and Michael England, an award winning multi-disciplinary artist whose skills are sought from clients such as the Sony Music, the BBC and Channel 4, on Thursday 19 March.

Peter Dixon, Senior Lecturer in the University’s School of AAD, who has organised the series, said: “Chris Lefteri has delivered international workshops on materials and we are so looking forward to welcoming him to Leeds Beckett. Through his business, Chris Lefteri Design Ltd, Chris has worked with several Fortune 100 companies and major design studios across Europe, the US and Asia helping them formulate strategies for effective materials integration in the design process.”