John Berry

SEGD President 1975-1977

John Berry and Rich Burns were the original founders of SEGD.

John has over forty four years of professional design experiences, including senior leadership positions and advisory roles in the contract furniture industry.

John developed and led the IGS Division (Interiors, Graphics & Signage) of Smith Hinchman & Grylls (now The Smith Group.)

He was Vice President of Corporate Communications for Herman Miller with responsibilities including marketing communications, events, corporate archives, architectural and design programs, and public relations, was liaison between Herman Miller and the Eames Office and continues with the Eames Office as publicist and liaison back to Herman Miller. His book, ‘Herman Miller: The Purpose of Design’ published by Rizzoli is the basis for a traveling exhibit.

John has been an adjunct professor at Grand Valley State University and guest lecturer for the Kendall College Art and Design and Ferris State University MBA Certificate on Design and Innovation management. He is a past board member of; the Michigan Humanities Council, OxBow Art and Artist’s school affiliated with the School of the Art Institute in Chicago, Grand Rapids Art Museum, Kendall College of Art and Design and a current member of the national advisory committee for Cranbrook Academy of Art.

John is the Executive Director of Design West Michigan and directs an advisory group of over 40 leading regional and national designers with a membership of over 1,000 designers. He was instrumental in the development of a new degree; BFA in Collaborative Design for Kendall College and is currently helping in the development of a Masters in Design.

John has a Masters of Fine Arts in Design from Cranbrook Academy of Art, a BA in Design and Spanish from Indiana University with related studies at DePauw University and La Universidad de Nacional de Mexico.