John Maeda

A 1966 birth in Seattle placed John Maeda in a trajectory that led from his family’s tofu factory to the intersection of computing and aesthetics. As a researcher, administrator, and executive, he has spent decades navigating the convergence of digital code and human-centric design, operating across academic institutions and global technology corporations.

Academic Foundation and Research

Maeda pursued degrees at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where he studied under Muriel Cooper at the Visible Language Workshop. His academic training included a PhD in design from the University of Tsukuba in Japan. At the MIT Media Lab, he spent 12 years directing the Aesthetics + Computation Group and the Physical Language Workshop, fostering a curriculum that bridged engineering and visual art. He was instrumental in projects like Design By Numbers, which introduced programming to artists, and supported the development of the Scratch language.

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Rhode Island School of Design Leadership

In 2008, Maeda accepted the presidency of the Rhode Island School of Design during the global financial crisis. His tenure saw a controversial faculty vote of no confidence in 2011, which he survived. He used the position to promote the STEAM movement, advocating for the integration of art and design into the broader economy. During his five-year term, he sought to elevate the institution’s visibility within the global business community before resigning at the end of 2013.

Corporate Strategy and Advisory Roles

Following his time in higher education, Maeda transitioned into executive and advisory roles within the technology sector. He served as a Design Partner at Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers and later as the chief experience officer at Publicis Sapient, where he implemented the LEAD doctrine for digital products. His career includes leadership positions at Automattic, where he focused on inclusion, and Everbridge, serving as chief technology officer until 2022. He currently holds the position of vice president of design and artificial intelligence at Microsoft.

Publishing and Artistic Recognition

Maeda has produced a significant body of writing, including The Laws of Simplicity and How To Speak Machine. His influence extends to industry discourse, most notably through his annual Design In Tech Report, which began in 2015. His artwork is held in permanent collections at the Museum of Modern Art, the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, and the Cartier Foundation. He has received various honors, such as the 2005 Lucky Strike Designer Award and the AIGA Medal.