In Memory of Mark Dziersk (1959-2020)

An expert in industrial design, packaging, innovation strategy, design thinking, and branding, Dziersk often wrote and gave public talks on the topics of design, sustainability, and creativity. He was a prominent leader and decades-long supporter of the Industrial Designers Society of America (IDSA), serving as the executive editor of IDSA's Innovation Magazine, a member of the IDSA Academy of Fellows, and IDSA President (1999-2000).

Dziersk spent much of his career as Managing Director of LUNAR in Chicago; McKinsey acquired LUNAR in 2015, naming Dziersk as partner. He taught as an adjunct professor at the Rhode Island School of Design, the New England School of Art & Design, and most recently in the Master of Product Design and Development Management (mpd²) program at Northwestern University.

“Mark was an engaged and valued participant of the Stamps design community,” said Stamps School Associate Professor Stephanie Tharp. “He will be greatly missed, but his insightful voice and advocacy for design with the business world will resonate throughout the discipline for a long time to come.”

“Mark took many of my classes so I knew him well. He was proud of his family and he worked hard to learn all that he could,” said Allen Samuels, Stamps School Emeritus Professor and Dean. “I was always proud to learn that he was selected for leadership positions both in practice and within our professional organization, the IDSA. We kept in touch over the years as I sent him numerous articles to review when he was editor of Innovation. He was always welcoming and fair. I will miss him greatly.”

At his 2013 Penny Stamps Speaker Series talk, Dziersk encouraged Stamps students and the broader community to bring their creativity, motivation, and courage to every design challenge to help society, people, and business “so we can leave our kids a better world.”

Mark is survived by his wife, Elizabeth, and three daughters Monroe, Emilee, and Elissa.

Mark Dziersk, FIDSA (1959–2020)