DONALD DESKEY (1894 - 1989) was a pioneer in the professionalization and growth of industrial design in the United States during the 1930s. From his first designs for department store window displays to his sumptuous furnishings for the interiors of Radio City Music Hall, Deskey designed many of the icons that define an American modern style.

Deskey was trained as an artist at the Minneapolis Institute of Arts and later studied at the Art Students League in New York. He began his career as a painter and worked as an advertising illustrator before turning to industrial design. His designs were characterized by their clean lines, geometric shapes, and use of new materials such as chrome, Bakelite, and plastics. He was one of the pioneers of Art Deco, a style that emphasized luxury, glamour, and modernity.

Deskey’s contributions to American design were recognized with numerous awards throughout his career, including the AIA Gold Medal in 1959. His legacy continues to influence designers and architects today, and his work is celebrated in museums and collections around the world.

(Source: The Met + Incollect; Image Credit: Bettman Collection/Getty Images)