Ron Arad to leave Royal College of Art

Ron Arad is to leave his position as head of the Department of Design Products at the Royal College of Art.

Arad tells Design Week that this will be his last academic year, adding that ‘change is good’.

Speaking of the reasons for his decision, Arad says, ‘Twelve years is a long time, and I think the course deserves someone new.

‘I also find myself not having enough time to do the course in the way I want to,’ he adds.

Arad says he has no immediate plans to remain in academia, but didn’t rule out returning in the future.

Christopher Frayling, rector of the RCA, says, ’ We’re sad – of course – that Ron Arad has decided to leave the RCA this summer, after twelve years as Professor of Design Products. But we completely understand his reasons: he feels it is time for a change; and his own practice as a designer has become very successful – with exhibitions at the Pompidou and MoMA this year alone.

‘Ron has been an outstanding professor in every way, leading Design Products at the RCA to the pre-emininent global position it occupies today. We are currently discussing how best to replace him – not that the word “replaceable” can be applied to Ron Arad.’

A spokeswoman adds that the RCA is also seeking a new head for the Innovation Design engineering course, after Tom Barker left last September to become professor of Architecture, Design and Innovation at the University of Technology, Sydney, Australia.

Miles Pennington is currently acting head of the course, while interviews for a permanent head are being held in mid-March, with an appointment due in April.