David Edwin Hill

Edwin Arthur Schlossberg, born in 1945, is an American designer, artist, and author recognized for his pioneering work in interactive museum installations. He founded ESI Design, a firm specializing in creating interactive environments for learning and communication. Schlossberg's career spans decades, during which he has authored eleven books, including "Interactive Excellence," and his artwork has been featured in exhibitions and collections globally.

Educated at Columbia University, where he earned a Ph.D. in Science and Literature, Schlossberg's academic background informs his innovative approach to design. He has been lauded by publications like the Los Angeles Times as the "Grandmaster of Interactivity." His professional achievements include receiving the National Arts Club Medal of Honor and being appointed to the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts by President Barack Obama. Schlossberg's personal life includes his marriage to Caroline Kennedy and their three children.

Schlossberg's artistic development in the 1960s New York scene was characterized by the use of words and images through unconventional media, resulting in visual poetry. He has been described as a leader in interactive design, with publications likening him to a Renaissance man and an intellectual jack-of-all-trades. Schlossberg articulates his design philosophy by drawing parallels to a child's natural engagement with simple objects, stating, "If you put a bucket of water in front of a child... they will play with it forever. They learn a lot because they can craft a range of experiences as they integrate their sensory and physical worlds. I try to design like that."

Schlossberg's significant contributions to interactive design began in 1977 with his work for the Brooklyn Children's Museum, leading to the founding of ESI Design in the same year. As the principal designer, he has been instrumental in developing innovative interactive environments for a wide array of institutions and corporations. His projects include the Ellis Island – American Family Immigration History Center, various museum exhibits, digital media installations, and corporate innovation centers, all aimed at fostering discovery learning and communication through engaging, interactive experiences. His firm's work has shaped how people interact with information and exhibits in public spaces.

Beyond his design work, Schlossberg has a strong academic background, holding a Ph.D. in Science and Literature from Columbia University, where he also lectured. His doctoral thesis explored an imagined dialogue between Albert Einstein and Samuel Beckett. He has also shared his expertise by lecturing at institutions like the School of the Visual Arts and the Rhode Island School of Design. His influence extends to public service, notably his appointment by President Barack Obama to the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts from 2011 to 2013, demonstrating a commitment to the broader cultural landscape.

“If you put a bucket of water in front of a child—2 years old, 5 years old, even 8 years old—they will play with it forever. They learn a lot because they can craft a range of experiences as they integrate their sensory and physical worlds. I try to design like that.”