News of the IDEO merger is announced in ID Two’s insightful internal publication, the ID Two Star.

During my 7 years of working at IDEO I had the privilege and honor of working with Bill. He was a joy to work with and was always so positive, grounded and so wise. Bill directed me in a video clip that I did years ago for Steelcase, and he really got me to open up and to be more comfortable during the filming. He made it fun!

My thoughts and prayers are with Bill’s family, friends and colleagues who miss him so much.

As a recent university graduate armed with a degree in Thermodynamics in 1985, I found myself a bit stricken by my choice of majors, essentially not having a particularly good understanding of what exactly one does with a degree in Thermodynamics. I happened upon a used book on Industrial Design and it became clear to me at that moment what I wanted to do with my life.

Armed with no knowledge about ID whatsoever, I did what one did in those days: I looked up “Design, Industrial” in the Yellow Pages. There were about 14 listings, including a firm called ID2, and I composed a clever letter to each begging for some sort of contact and advice on how to proceed. Bill was kind enough to respond and let me come into the office on Stockton.

Getting off the elevator and seeing the workspace opened up a new world for me. The shelves that held past projects in the corner of the conference room were filled with things that literally made my heart race faster. Bill’s thoughtful words of encouragement and description of the industry solidified that this was going to be my future. He was kind enough to invite me to the Friday afternoon sessions, which included champagne, and these opened up a whole new lexicon that I started to absorb.

I vowed to work for Bill someday and would do everything in my power to do so.

Five years later with a degree from Art Center and several years of work experience, I was hired on at ID2 as an Industrial Designer – what a thrill! Moments later we became the first members of the IDEO community taking us all in directions we could not have imagined in those days.

Bill, thank you for taking the time to respond to my pleas for information 27 years ago and setting me on a path that has led to a fantastically satisfying career and life. I will be keeping you in my thoughts.

I was new to the company, and working at IDEO in San Francisco at the time. Bill was in the office, hosting Shinichi Takemura, and discussing the impact of his Tangible Earth project. Alan, our terrific experience lead, found his way into our project space, and after a quick chat let us know that there was space for one more at the table. He asked me if I wanted to join. Of course I said yes, and I found myself having tea and chatting not only with Bill and Shinichi, but Shinichi’s entire family as well! Bill’s way was so inclusive, and I remember being made to feel so comfortable at a table with such lovely people.

Bill’s gentleness, generosity, curiosity and passion are a tremendous source of inspiration for me. We’ll miss you, Bill. Thank you.

Being as accomplished as Bill was, it surprised me that he was such a humble, nice person. I would see Bill at conferences and talks after my time at IDEO and he would always make time to come by and say hello, chat for a while, tell a few jokes or amusing stories.

I often wondered why a chat with Bill had this uncanny way of putting you at ease and leaving you on a high note. But then again he always reminded me a little of Obi Wan Kenobi…. Hmm….

Thanks Bill.

I joined the small design team based in Kentish Town in the early 80’s when Bill was over in California getting a new ‘Moggridge arm’ established. Even though his visits to the UK studio grew more infrequent during my time there, when he appeared he always had time for a personal chat, making you feel quite special – an attribute reflected through his approach to designing where people came first.

I was juggling a career in music at the time, and I was worried about Bill finding out, and then deciding that I clearly was not too serious about this design business. Of course, when I did speak to him about it his reaction was to easily accept my working in a different discipline, and in retrospect it perhaps was me who was the conservative one, trying to compartmentalise what is one enormous, creative interaction. This was a lesson learnt that I thank him for – it changed my whole approach to this day.

Bill Moggridge will be sorely missed.

Since Bill moved to New York to take over the Cooper-Hewitt director position (during my tenure as chair of IDSA’s New York Chapter), I had the pleasure of getting to know him. His effortless way of imparting wisdom to his audiences, and his great design legacy was now being leveraged in his Third Act, that’s how he described his mission as a communicator. We all did not want this Third Act to end.

My most fond memory with him was having lunch on one blustery winter day in Bryant Park, sharing our passions, thoughts and ideas for elevating the importance of design in New York City and the nation. Bill‘s Third Act was building momentum, gathering support and having an impact all the way to the presidency when it was cut short. My hope is that we come together to continue to evangelize for the value of design in everyday life and to build on his legacy in making New York Design Week bigger than Fashion Week.

I was deeply honored and considered it a privilege that he keynoted the 2012 Northeast District Conference for IDSA in Philadelphia.

To design is to take a problem, and turn it inside out.

To aim for greatness is about being so humble about one’s own limitations you can be earnest in the pursuit of what you don’t know you don’t know.

To create is to dare—knowing failure may be lurking just beyond the next corner, but to keep at it anyway.

To invent the future is special art that requires imagination, commonsense, good humor.

Bill taught us all these lessons.

But he will be remembered above all else for the way in which he taught us. With grace. A warm mischievous way. And an open heart.

I own his book and never saw his face or met the man, yet he ‘spoke’ through is well thought out designs. RIP Bill. Wish I could have met you.

Bill was such a grounding presence to be around at IDEO. I had the honor to help him build the Designing Interactions website with my colleague Katie Clark. He always had a smile on his face and his laugh was infectious. His sage advice was always from the heart and his hugs were from the soul. I was also inspired by his love for his wife Karin. Even after all the years they had been together there was always a twinkle in his eye when he spoke of her. Thank you Bill, for your kind heart and gentle soul. I am so lucky to have known you and I wish I could have gotten to know you more. I wish you peace on your next journey.