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It is with great sadness that the Design Society shares news of the passing of Honorary Fellow Professor Larry J. Leifer, on 29th August 29, 2026.
Larry was a pioneering figure in Design Thinking and Design Research, and an inspiration to generations of researchers, educators, and practitioners around the world.
After joining the Stanford faculty in 1976, Larry founded and led the Center for Design Research (CDR) for four decades. He was instrumental in shaping modern approaches to design education and research through initiatives such as the Hasso Plattner Design Thinking Research Program and Stanford’s internationally renowned ME310 course, connecting students, researchers, and industry partners across the globe.
Within the Design Society, Larry was a highly valued colleague, collaborator, and friend to many. He always opened the doors of CDR to visitors and longer-term guest researchers in Palo Alto and fostered numerous formal and informal collaborations with design research groups around the world. A typical example of Larry's energy and enthusiasm was his role as Conference Chair of the Design Society's flagship conference, ICED09 at Stanford, which carried the memorable slogan, "Design has never been this cool!". In recognition of his outstanding contributions to design thinking and design research, including its application in industry and society, Larry was awarded the Design Society's highest honour when he was named an Honorary Fellow of the Design Society in 2011.
Larry’s research spanned engineering, neuroscience, human-centered design, innovation, and team dynamics, helping to shape the foundations of contemporary design research. His influence extended far beyond his publications and achievements, through the many people he mentored and the relationships he built across the international design community.
Larry leaves behind a legacy not only through his work, but in the human connections he made along the way.
