It is with immense sadness that we announce the passing of Rachel Cooper, the founder and spiritual leader of the European Academy of Design. Rachel established the EAD 30 years ago to be a place to nurture design research with compassion, respect, insight and joy. These values represented her indomitable spirit that lit up every room she walked into. Whether for the EAD or The Design Journal which she also started, Rachel was a force of nature who invested in the future of, and opportunities within, design for others. She brought people together to work globally to develop and contribute to design research. Her legacy is seen in culture of the EAD and the many conferences with its thousands-strong community of design researchers who have grown up in the EAD family and her vision of The Design Journal as a publication that encourages and understands the language of the relatively young discipline of design research. These two initiatives alone have changed the landscape of design globally.
Beyond this though, she will be remembered as warm, intelligent, charming, visionary, and above all, down-to-earth. Her approach empowered and encouraged generations of design-related researchers and practitioners throughout their careers.
There are no words to express our gratitude to her.
She brought brightness that will never fade.
For almost 20 years Rachel was a mentor, my inspiration and friend. My most cherished memories are of our daily breakfast chats in the early days as we set up ImaginationLancaster, quiet moments between the two of us where tales of her extraordinary life mingled with sage advice and encouragement for me. Rachel took a wide-eyed novice under her wing, introducing me to EAD and helping me develop into my own design researcher. Rachel was not one for acolytes, I owe so much to her, she, though, still owes me a little something. I once bet her a glass of wine that she could not stop herself from interrupting me in a paper presentation I was giving at EAD in Gothenburg. Of course, she lost that bet and was brilliant. We never got round to that glass of wine at the conference, but the lost bet was repaid many times over by learning from her for so long. I will miss you, Rachel.
Leon Cruickshank
President EAD
Rachel (as we knew her) made it possible for minority voices to be heard and respected. She paved the way for non-typical scholars and researchers, people like me. The Design Journal, along with the European Academy of Design were both established to provide a platform for young designers, researchers, and educators to support and develop design. Decades on, her legacy is one of the most significant in my lifetime.
Deana McDonagh
Vice-President, EAD
I cannot remember the first time I met Rachel; possibly because she always felt like a trusted friend, which is exactly what she was to me, first and foremost. Beyond her remarkable energy, charisma and intellectual depth, Rachel was an extraordinarily kind human being. I could recount the many times she readily offered her professional and diplomatic skills without hesitance at the precise moment when they were most needed – but then again, that was simply the way she was – truly generous and compassionate. Rachel had a way of turning a burden into a celebration, struggle into courage: it was simply a gift of hers. I am so honoured to have witnessed and received her wisdom. Her friendship.
Heitor Alvelos
Vice-President, EAD