Prof. Kurt Mehnert has taught and researched since 2008 in the Department of Design of the Folkwang University of the Arts, which he headed from 2009-2017 as Acting Rector. In 2017, he established the Industrial Design Institute (IDI) at Zhaoqing University in China, where he still serves as acting president.
Folkwang University of the Arts
After his engagements at University Anhalt Dessau and University Duisburg-Essen, Prof. Kurt Mehnert has taught and researched since 2008 in the Department of Design of the Folkwang University of the Arts, which he headed from 2009-2017 as acting Rector.
Industrial Design Institute
In 2017, he established the international laboratory Industrial Design Institute (IDI) at Zhaoqing University in China, where he still serves as acting president.
Counselors
- Counselor German-Chinese Eco-Parc Qingdao
- Program counselor Urbane Künste Ruhr
- Counselor Forum d‘Avignon Ruhr
- Counselor oft he company Wohninvest Holding GmbH, Germany
- Head of the national principal conference for Art and Music Universities in NRW, Germany (2013-2016)
- Council for the strategy process of the city Essen „Essen.2030“
- Institut council for IfPOM (Institut for Popular Music)
- Jury member for several years CMS Purus Design Award, Berlin
- Jury member for several years N.I.C.E Award, Network for Innovations in Culture and Creativity in Europe
Work experience
- since 2005 // New trade name Mehnert Corporate Design GmbH & Co. KG, Berlin
- 1995 // Foundation of Mehnert Corporate Design, Berlin
- 1992 // Foundation of Mehnert Wahrheit+Partner, Stuttgart
- 1991-1993 // Freelance work at Lindinger+Partner, Hannover
- 1988-1990 // Senior Designer at Moll Design, Schwäbisch Gmünd // Awarded of the Design Center NRW as the the office oft he year
- 1987-1988 // Freelance work in different design offices
Memberships
- Board member "ecce" (European Center of Creative Economie)
- Member of the accreditation commission ACQUIN responsible for the accreditation and quality assurance of the German universities (2015-2017), re-election for 2017-2019
- Member of the Rectors' Conference of German Music Academies (2009-2017)
- Member "Univercity Bochum" an alliance of all universities in Bochum
- Member of the Association of German Industrial Designers (VDID)
- Member of the International Design Center Berlin (IDZ)
- Member of Cumulus International Association of Universities and Colleges of Art, Design and Media (Folkwang University of the Arts)
Academic career
- Since 2016 Founder and President of the german site of the Industrial Design Institutes (IDI), Zhaoqing a collaborative institution of the Zhaoqing University and the Folkwang University of Arts
- 2013-2017 // elected again as president of Folkwang University of Arts, second tenure
- 2009-2013 // Election as president of Folkwang University of Arts; first tenure
- 2008-2009 // Pro-principal of Folkwang University (now University of Fine Arts)
- 2008 // Dean of the Department Design of the Folkwang University of the Arts
- 2004 // Dean of the Department Arts and Design of the University Duisburg-Essen
- 2003 // Speaker of the Department Industrial Design of the University Duisburg-Essen
- 2002 // Professorship for concept and design at the Department Industrial Design of the University Duisburg-Essen
- 2001 // Build up and representative head of the mastersprogram MAID (Master of Integrated Design) at the University of Applied Sciences, Department Design in Dessau, Germany
- 1999 // Guest professor at the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) New York, Department of Design
- 1994-2002 // Professorship for Product Design at the Anhalt University of Applied Sciences, Department of Design in Dessau, Germany
- 1991-1993 // Academic assistant for the Institute of Industrial Design at University of Hannover, Germany
Accreditations
- Chair of first accreditation "ACQUIN" Department of Design of the University of the Arts, Berlin
- Chair of Re-accreditation New Design University (NDU) St. Pölten, Austria
- Accreditation of the Department of Design of the University of Hannover