Kiku Obata to Present 'Studio Work: Integrating the Design Disciplines' Lecture on April 6

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Saint Louis Art Museum Wayfinding and Signage. (Image courtesy of Kiku Obata & Company)

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Kiku Obata will present a lecture at 5 p.m. Wednesday, April 6, in Ken and Linda Sue Shollmier Hall, Room 250 of Vol Walker Hall, on the University of Arkansas campus in Fayetteville, as part of the Fay Jones School of Architecture and Design lecture series.

Obata is founder and chief executive officer of Kiku Obata & Company, based in St. Louis, Missouri, and London, England.

In this lecture, titled "Studio Work: Integrating the Design Disciplines," Obata will discuss the work of her design studio.

Kiku Obata & Company specializes in identity, editorial and environmental design. With offices in St. Louis and London, the studio works internationally in the fields of art, culture and commerce. It remains a small, design-led practice undertaking a diverse range of work for institutions, companies and individuals - from identities, publications and packaging to websites, wayfinding and spaces. The team of architects, interior, lighting, graphic and environmental graphic designers is skilled in integrating their disciplines to establish an organization's identity and visual language across all communications and physical environments with great attention to detail. The work is creatively led, rigorously executed and rooted in a thorough understanding of a client's intentions and a project's context.

Since founding the company in 1977, Obata continues to serve as managing and creative director. She is recognized for her expertise in how the integration of graphic communications, architecture, art and public space can enhance our cities and communities. Two neighborhood regeneration projects that she helped spearhead have each been awarded one of the "10 Great Streets in America" by the American Planning Association.

Obata is currently a trustee of the Whitaker Foundation and on the board of Laumeier Sculpture Park and Shakespeare Festival St. Louis. She has served on the board of the Society of Environmental Graphic Designers and is a past chair of the American Institute of Architects advisory group specializing in retail. She graduated with distinction from Stanford University.

The public is invited to attend. Admission is free, with limited seating.

For more information, contact 479-575-4704 or fayjones.uark.edu.