## Breadcrumb 1. [Home](/index%2Ephp/) 2. [News and Stories](/index%2Ephp/news) 3. [OCAD U mourns Dr. Jonathan Crinion](/index%2Ephp/markdownify/node/3336) April 22, 2025 # OCAD U mourns Dr. Jonathan Crinion ![A photo of Dr. Jonathan (John) Crinion seated at a wooden table with his hands folded in front of him. ](/sites/default/files/styles/1_5_1_large/public/2025-04/dnhx2f5ge6ckvuhxopdr.jpg.webp?itok=mTHkyCwl) Dr. Jonathan (John) Crinion. The OCAD University community is saddened by the passing of internationally recognized industrial designer Dr. Jonathan Crinion on March 15, 2025, at the age of 71. Born in Liverpool, Dr. Crinion emigrated to Canada as a toddler. He grew up in Ottawa and studied Industrial Design at the Ontario College of Art (before it became OCAD U). While attending OCA, his thesis focused on designing a solar hot water heating system. This forward-thinking attitude and interest in environmentally responsible development would characterize his work in the decades to come. **An enduring design** During his career as an industrial designer, Dr. Crinion earned several international accolades for his work. In 1986, he created [the Gazelle chair](https://www.crinion.net/) for the now-defunct, Toronto-based furniture company AREA. An outdoor metal chair that was both comfortable and stackable, the Gazelle became a staple on restaurant and café patios around the world. Made from 16-gauge cold-rolled steel, the chair was selected in 1998 by Canada Post to appear on a stamp honouring Canadian design icons. Thanks to its elegant design and durable construction, the Gazelle continues to be recycled and reused to this day. In [a tribute](https://www.azuremagazine.com/article/jonathan-crinion-an-appreciation/) to Dr. Crinion, *Azure Magazine* praised his design philosophy, stating: “Especially at a time when opulent styles are usurping notions of democratic design, Crinion’s quest for simple, elegant solutions to everyday problems remains inspiring.” In his later years, Dr. Crinion returned to the United Kingdom, earning a master's degree at Schumacher College and a PhD at the University of Exeter, where he continued to explore his interest in ecology and sustainability. Outside of his prolific design career, he was known for his adventurous spirit and love of the water, once embarking on a daring solo sailing voyage from South Africa to England. OCAD U extends its condolences to Dr. Crinion’s family, friends, former colleagues and loved ones. A celebration of his life will be held in the late spring. Source: [*The Globe and Mail*](https://www.legacy.com/ca/obituaries/theglobeandmail/name/jonathan-crinion-obituary?id=57948076)*,* [*Azure magazine*](https://www.azuremagazine.com/article/jonathan-crinion-an-appreciation/) ## Other Recent News [### 2026-27 Call for Funding Proposals for Student Groups that Support Creative Entrepreneurship on Campus The RBC Centre for Emerging Artists & Designers (CEAD) invites OCAD University student groups with a mandate to support entrepreneurship on campus to apply for funding for student-led initiatives that strengthen and expand the creative entrepreneurship ecosystem at OCAD U. This funding is intended to help student groups create opportunities for entrepreneurship skills development, community building, and revenue-generating activities for students and recent alumni, while reducing barriers to participation for equity-seeking individuals. November 6, 2026 ](/news/2026-27-call-funding-proposals-student-groups-support-creative-entrepreneurship-campus) [### 2027 Critical Distance Centre for Curators Projections Program Call for Artists OCAD University’s RBC Centre for Emerging Artists & Designers (CEAD) and Critical Distance Centre for Curators (CDCC) have partnered to co-create CDCC Projections Program Career Launcher. Four (4) to five (5) selected emerging artists will receive $690 to exhibit work in a single channel, projection-based screening program that will be displayed at the CDCC in March 2027. October 30, 2026 ](/news/2027-critical-distance-centre-curators-projections-program-call-artists) [### Call for Vendors: BAM! Holiday Art Market 2026 OCAD University's RBC Centre for Emerging Artists & Designers (CEAD) is excited to partner again with Wychwood Barns to offer a curated group of OCAD U students and recent alumni the opportunity to share a vendor table at the BAM! Holiday Art Market. October 26, 2026 ](/news/call-vendors-bam-holiday-art-market-2026) Related Stories ## Related Stories [### 2026-27 Call for Funding Proposals for Student Groups that Support Creative Entrepreneurship on Campus The RBC Centre for Emerging Artists & Designers (CEAD) invites OCAD University student groups with a mandate to support entrepreneurship on campus to apply for funding for student-led initiatives that strengthen and expand the creative entrepreneurship ecosystem at OCAD U. This funding is intended to help student groups create opportunities for entrepreneurship skills development, community building, and revenue-generating activities for students and recent alumni, while reducing barriers to participation for equity-seeking individuals. November 6, 2026 ](/news/2026-27-call-funding-proposals-student-groups-support-creative-entrepreneurship-campus) [### 2027 Critical Distance Centre for Curators Projections Program Call for Artists OCAD University’s RBC Centre for Emerging Artists & Designers (CEAD) and Critical Distance Centre for Curators (CDCC) have partnered to co-create CDCC Projections Program Career Launcher. Four (4) to five (5) selected emerging artists will receive $690 to exhibit work in a single channel, projection-based screening program that will be displayed at the CDCC in March 2027. October 30, 2026 ](/news/2027-critical-distance-centre-curators-projections-program-call-artists) [### Call for Vendors: BAM! Holiday Art Market 2026 OCAD University's RBC Centre for Emerging Artists & Designers (CEAD) is excited to partner again with Wychwood Barns to offer a curated group of OCAD U students and recent alumni the opportunity to share a vendor table at the BAM! Holiday Art Market. October 26, 2026 ](/news/call-vendors-bam-holiday-art-market-2026)