Background
Diffrient, Niels was born on September 6, 1928 in Star, Mississippi, United States. Son of Robert Ethan and Dovie Lee (Peacock) Diffrient.
Diffrient, Niels was born on September 6, 1928 in Star, Mississippi, United States. Son of Robert Ethan and Dovie Lee (Peacock) Diffrient.
Attended, Wayne State University, 1952. Bachelor of Fine Arts, Cranbrook Academy, 1954. Doctorate (honorary), Art Center College Design, 1975.
Doctor of Fine Arts (honorary), 2007.
Architect, Eero Saarinen, Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, 1948-1953; with, Walter B. Ford, Detroit, 1953-1954; with, Marco Zanuso, Milan, Italy, 1954-1955; general partner, Henry Dreyfuss Associations, New York City, 1955-1980; head independent industrial design studio, Ridgefield, Connecticut, since 1981. Member of faculty industrial design University of California at Los Angeles, 1961-1969. Member of faculty Yale University, 1990.
Member Board of Governors Cranbrook Academy, Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. Fellow Industrial Design Society American (Design Excellence award 1980, Chrysleraward for innovation 1996). Member International Design Conference Aspen (board directors 1974-1991), International Design Education Foundation (president since 1976), American Center for Design (honorary, board directors), Design Institute New Zealand (honorary).
Married Helena Hernmarck, May 29, 1976. Children— (by previous marriage) Scott, Julie, Emily.