VIDEO: Morris to debut doc on designer Walter Teague

Jason A. Morris, an associate professor of industrial design at Western Washington Unviersity, will debut his feature-length documentary about Walter Dorwin Teague, titled “Teague: Design & Beauty,” on Thursday, Aug. 14, at the Alamo Drafthouse Cinema in Austin, Texas, as part of the Industrial Designers Society of America International Conference.

Teague was a pioneer in the field of design, crafting many of the products and places that defined modern America: Kodak cameras, the Boeing Stratocruiser aircraft, Steinway pianos, Sparton radios, Texaco service stations, Stueben glassware, the Marmon 16 automobile and the 1939 World’s Fair.

Through hand-drawn illustrations, photographs, product designs, interviews, narrative, animation and film, Morris’ documentary uncovers the mysteries of Teague’s life, his rise to prominence through humble origins, his mid-life transformation and the stories behind some of his greatest designs.

Though Morris has produced three short documentaries that have been selections at film festivals -- one of which he won best documentary for -- this is his first feature-length documentary.

Morris has spent more than four years making this film. He hopes to schedule a screening of the film at Bellingham's Pickford Film Center this fall or winter.

Morris has taught at Western since 2004. For more information, contact Morris at 360-650-2514 or jason.morris@wwu.edu.