Bio Page

Jack (John) Elliott

Associate Professor / Director of Graduate Studies
4235 Martha Van Rensselaer Hall
DEA
 
Phone: (607) 255-9714
Fax: (607) 255-0305
Email: jre15@cornell.edu
View Cornell Contact Info
Curriculum Vitae

Biographical Statement:
I have three areas of expertise in teaching, involving three types of design literacies. These are visual literacy in design (DEA 101), computer literacy in design (DEA203), and ecological literacy in design (DEA422). My research interests are related to the idea of "Nature inside" both in a theoretical sense and in a practical sense. In the theoretical domain, I am interested in those aspects of material culture of the built environment that express a society's set of values as they pertain to the natural world, especially regarding environmental ethics and aesthetics. I am currently investigating topics relating to rusticity and sustainability, particularly in furniture and furnishings. In the practical sense, I am interested in "pulling" technology through the design project situated in a real world context. I use the prototype as a stimulant for design discourse, a conductor for technological developments, and an exemplar for commercial enterprise. These prototypes range in scale from the artifact to the edifice; from an award-winning lighting design to a certified "green" building project for the National Park Service in the Grand Canyon.

Current Professional Activities:
Member, U.S. Green Building Council, LEED accredited professional
Member, Interior Design Educators Council (IDEC)
Member, Architects, Designers, and Planners for Social Responsibility (ADPSR)
Associate Member, American Institute of Architects (AIA)

Courses Taught:
  • DEA 1101 - Design Studio I
  • DEA 2030 - Digital Communications
  • DEA 4010 - Special Topics in Sustainable Design
  • DEA 4080 - Design Studio VIII
  • DEA 4220 - Ecological Literacy and Design
  • DEA 6020 - Directed Graduate Readings
  • VISST 1101 - Design Studio I (cross-listed with DEA 101)
  • ARCH 4610 - Ecological Literacy and Design (cross-listed with DEA 422)

Education:
  • M.E.Des. 1993 - University of Calgary
    Architecture
  • M.E.Des. - 1991 - University of Calgary
    Industrial Design
  • B.Sc. 1978 - University of Alberta
    Physics

Current Research Activities:
Professor Elliott is researching the idea of "Nature inside" both in a theoretical sense and in a practical sense. In the theoretical domain, he is interested in those aspects of material culture of the built environment that express a society's set of values as they pertain to the natural world, especially regarding environmental ethics and aesthetics. He is currently investigating the idea of a "green aesthetic" where a designs ethical program is expressed in its appearance. In the practical domain, Professor Elliott uses the design project to "pull" technology in a real world context to produce meaningful works. The project prototype is used as a stimulant for design discourse, a conductor for technological developments, and an exemplar for commercial enterprise. More specifically, he is producing a collection of furniture works designed to heighten awareness of various environmental issues associated with their manufacture. He is also using new information technologies to provide innovative ways to add value to waste agriculture and forestry products, while working with businesses and advocacy groups in the Finger Lakes region of New York.

Related Websites:
DEA 1101 Course Website
http://courses.cit.cornell.edu/courses/dea1101
DEA 2030 Course Website
http://courses.cit.cornell.edu/courses/dea2030
DEA 4220 Course Website
http://courses.cit.cornell.edu/courses/dea4220

Selected Publications:
Rider, T.R., Elliott, J. "Education, Environmental Attitudes and the Design Professions" in Selected Papers of the ARCC 2007 Research Conference, ARCC Journal, vol. 4, no.2, 2007.

Elliott, J., Brown, M. "Green vs. Grey: Energy Performances of Two Olympic Speed Skating Ovals", Journal of Architecture and Planning Research, vol.24, no. 2, Summer 2007.

Kosheleva, E., Elliott, J. 2006. "Green Building in the Russian Context: An Investigation into the Establishment of a LEEDŽ-based Green Building Rating", Journal of Green Building, vol.1: no. 3, Summer 2006.

Elliott, J. 2004. "Considering the Natural: Reconciling Eco-ethics and Aesthetics in the Practice of Design", Journal of Design Philosophy Papers, no. 2.

Elliott, J. 2003. "Eco-ethics, Aesthetics and the Paradox of Informed Negligence", Proceedings from the 2003 ACSA International Conference, Helsinki, Finland.

Elliott, J; Yoon, H. 2002. "A Green Analysis of SMED, Inc. lifeSPACE Product", Ithaca, New York.

Elliott, J. 2001 "Ergo Versus Eco: A Tale of Two Centricities", Proceedings of 45th Human Factors and Ergonomic Society National Conference, Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Elliott, J. 2001 "Mumbling and Stumbling: Paradoxes of Green Design Practice", Proceedings from 89th Annual Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture National Conference, Baltimore, Maryland.

Elliott, J. 2001 "Adirondack Rustic Furniture Industry: Surveys and Prospects", Adirondack Journal Of Environmental Studies, Vol.6, No.1, Paul Smiths College, New York.

Elliott, J. 2000 "Out Through the In(Doors): New Approaches To Green Interior Design Education", In.Form: Journal of Interior Design, vol.1, no.1, University Of Nebraska Press, Lincoln, Nebraska.

Elliott, J. 2000 "Columena: A Prototype for Sustainable Product Design", Second Place, Idec National Conference, Juried Competition For Creative Works.

Elliott, J. 1999. Reflecting Nature: Artificing as a Biophilic Response. Proceedings of the 20th Annual Conference on Design, Carleton University, Ottawa, Canada.

Pope, S., Elliott, J., Turbini, L. 1998. Designing for Technological Obsolescence and Discontinuous Change: An Evaluation of Three Secessional Electronic Products. Electronics and the Environment, Proceedings of the 1998 IEEE.

Elliott, J. 1997. The Blur: A Catalyst for Conceptualization. Blurring Boundaries, Proceedings of the 1997 Design Education Conference.

Elliott, J. 1997. The Warm Springs Chair and Table: The Evolution of an Idea. The Humane Village, Proceedings of the 20th Congress of ICSID, 1997.


Administrative Responsibilities:
Director of Graduate Studies for the Department of Design and Environmental Analysis
Director of the DEA Resource Center

The information on this bio page is taken from the CHE Annual Report.