Noel Mayo facts for kids
Noel Mayo, born on December 30, 1937, is a famous American industrial designer. He started the very first industrial design company owned by an African American person. His company, Noel Mayo Associates, has created designs for big clients like IBM, NASA, and the National Museum of American Jewish History.
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Early Life and Education
Noel Mayo was born in Orange, New Jersey, on December 30, 1937. As a child, he moved around a lot. He attended a boarding school called Sunnycrest Farm for Negro Boys in Cheney, Pennsylvania.
When he was in high school, Noel worked at an art store. The owner let him borrow any art books he wanted. This is how he first learned about industrial design. He then went to the Philadelphia College of Art, which is now called the University of the Arts. In 1960, he made history by becoming the first Black person to earn an industrial design degree from that college.
A Career in Design
Starting His Own Company
During his third year of college, Noel Mayo's professor, Joseph Carreiro, hired him to work at his design firm. While the owners were away, Noel was trusted to run the whole office.
In 1964, after he graduated, Noel Mayo bought the firm. He then changed its name to Noel Mayo Associates.
Noel Mayo Associates' Work
Under Noel Mayo's leadership, his company worked with many different types of clients. These included government groups like the Departments of Commerce and Agriculture, and the IRS. They also worked with well-known organizations like NASA, IBM, and Philadelphia International Airport. Other clients included Black+Decker and the National Museum of American Jewish History.
Noel Mayo Associates designed many things. They created interiors for homes, offices, schools, and even airports. They also designed furniture, electronics, lighting, signs, products, packaging, and graphics. For 45 years, Noel Mayo worked closely with the Lutron Electronics company. His name is on over 250 design patents and 27 utility patents, mostly for light switches and dimmers.
Teaching and Community Service
Noel Mayo became the head of the industrial design department at the Philadelphia College of Art.
In 1989, Ohio State University honored Noel Mayo. They named him the Ohio Eminent Scholar in Art and Design Technology. He taught a course there for 20 years, helping students learn about professional practices in design.
Noel Mayo also served his community in many ways. He was president of the Philadelphia Economic Council. He also led the Philadelphia Community Development Corporation. He advised MetroBank of Philadelphia and was a commissioner for the Philadelphia Art Commission.
He also served on the board of directors for the University of the Arts. He was also on the board for the Philadelphia Free Library.
In 1981, he received an honorary degree from the Massachusetts College of Art.
Noel Mayo has always worked to support others in design. He created a list of minority professionals in design. He also started several programs to mentor minority designers. In 2020, he created the Noel Mayo Scholarship Fund at the University of the Arts.
