On December 4, I had the chance to attend something that meant more to me than most industry events do: the IDSA Boston Winter Gala and the long-awaited revival of the Boston Bean Design Awards. It has been nearly two decades since these awards were presented, and the last time they were, I was chairing the Boston IDSA Chapter back in the late 90s and early 2000s.
Walking into the room for this event felt a little like stepping back in time and a lot like stepping into a bright future.
The energy in the space was immediate. Students, educators, emerging designers, seasoned leaders, and old friends all came together to celebrate the craft, the community, and the next chapter of industrial design in Boston. Events like this remind me that design is, at its core, a people-first profession. When we come together with enthusiasm, the entire field grows stronger.
Honoring the Bean Award Winners
This year’s Bean Design Award honorees represent everything these awards stand for: excellence, contribution, and a deep commitment to our profession.
Congratulations to:
Betsy Goodrich, Silver Bean
Simon Williamson, Golden Bean
Adam Pozdro, Bronze Bean
I want to acknowledge Betsy in particular. She has been a good friend, a mentor to many of us, and one of the most generous leaders in our design community. Seeing her receive the Silver Bean, essentially a lifetime achievement award, felt incredibly fitting. She has shaped this field with grace, craft, and an unwavering love of design, and she continues to inspire new generations every day. I could not be happier for her.
A Night of Gratitude and Generosity
Another highlight of the evening was Tom Devlin’s extraordinary donation of more than four decades of industrial design history. Tom has preserved an archive that is not only valuable but a gift to the entire community. I am excited to share that Sprout will be digitally organizing this archive and helping roll it out over the next year. It is the kind of project that blends everything I love about design: storytelling, heritage, and forward momentum.
Thank you to the Boston IDSA team for pulling the night together and to Blu Dot for providing an incredible space for the event. Their support helped create a gathering that felt both nostalgic and new.
Celebrating the Team Behind the Revival
The return of the Bean Awards is a testament to the current IDSA Boston leadership team. They have hosted more than 35 events in the last two years and rebuilt the chapter with real passion and consistency. I was honored to serve on the jury alongside such talented peers, and I was impressed by the care and dedication that went into bringing these awards back to life.
This is how you strengthen a design community: with time, commitment, collaboration, and a willingness to build something bigger than yourself.
Why This Event Mattered
For me, this was not just another gala. It was a reminder of how far the Boston design community has come and how much potential it continues to hold. Design keeps evolving, and its impact and authenticity come from moments like this. Moments where we celebrate each other, connect across generations, and honor the work that shapes our industry.
I left energized, grateful, and proud. Proud of our community, proud of our history, and proud of where Boston design is headed next.
