Bob Adams

Sustainability Lead

IDEO

Bob Adams is focused on the intersection of design and sustainability at IDEO. Trained in mechanical engineering, product design, and agronomy, Bob has been working on the integration of the design process with principles of sustainable development since 2000, when he joined The Natural Step to develop their Sustainable Design Services Initiative. He came to IDEO in 2003 to further develop this set of ideas, and to put it into practice in an increasing range of business focused applications. Clients at IDEO have included Cargill, Procter and Gamble, Verdant Power, Rio Tinto, and ConAgra. Bob has worked in the field of design for 25 years, with corporate experience including Hewlett Packard, Interval Research Corporation, and J.N, Marshall Pvt. Ltd. (Pune, India).

Since 1987, Bob has taught at Stanford University, London’s Royal College of Art, and the University of California at Davis, developing and teaching courses in product design, technology and aesthetics, human-computer interaction, music, and viticulture. He holds six patents in human-computer interface design, and has been the recipient of several international design awards. Bob owns and operates a farm in the Sacramento Valley of California and his long-standing interest in sustainable agricultural practices led him to his current work in the field of sustainability. He is convinced that the potential for “redesigning design” is tremendous, and lies in a new integration of systems thinking, knowledge of the life and natural sciences, principles of sustainability, and the design process.

In 2003, Bob completed a master’s degree in horticulture and agronomy at the University of California at Davis. His previous education includes BS and MS degrees from Stanford University in mechanical engineering and product design.

He is the IDEO winemaker.