Product Creation Studio was awarded the prestigious 2016 GOOD DESIGN Award from the Chicago Athenaeum Museum of Architecture and Design for our work on Isaac’s Workbench, a project fulfilled in partnership with Make-a-Wish Foundation and Macy’s Believe Day.  

The annual GOOD DESIGN Awards Program recognizes and honors the best industrial and graphic designers, and world manufacturers, for their pursuit of extraordinary design excellence.

By taking on this project for Isaac and the Make-a-Wish Foundation, company founder Cameron Smith, worked tirelessly to embed empathy, innovation and authenticity into our company DNA.

Aligning principle with action, Cameron documented the brainstorming, fabrication and assembly process for Isaac and his family to keep and cherish in the years ahead.

From a Wish to a Workbench – Isaac’s Story

When Isaac was on the verge of turning three, his parents began to notice problems with his fine and gross motor skills. What was thought to be a quick hospital visit, turned into three weeks where Matt and Katie, Isaac’s parents, witnessed a rapid deterioration of his health.

During his treatment visits, Isaac noticed how sad many of the other kids were. He saw them crying and wondered how he could help bring happiness back into their lives. When he was referred for a wish, Isaac decided that he wanted to have a workbench to build toys for the children he knew were undergoing difficult treatments at the hospital.

To create Isaac’s ideal workbench, Make-A-Wish volunteers worked with Cameron and the industrial design and engineering teams to begin the process of turning Isaac’s idea into a tangible creation. Isaac was involved every step of the way: from choosing design prototypes, to viewing models and assisting with product assembly.

"When Make-a-Wish approached me with Isaac's story, I didn't hesitate to say yes. I was touched that he wanted to use his wish to help others. I work on a lot of products that enhance people’s lives, but this was a chance for me to touch one life in a very special way so that he could help others,” Cameron expressed. “It has been a true joy to meet Isaac and his family and I have loved seeing his wish come true.”

The final workbench was revealed during a Macy’s Believe Day event that celebrated Isaac’s first foray into toy building. Isaac created toys for Seattle Children’s Hospital utilizing the multiple storage areas and removable pieces that Cameron and the Product Creation Studio team manufactured.

You can read more about Isaac’s story on his Make-a-Wish profile.

Take a look at Isaac’s Workbench website to follow the entire process – from concept to presentation – with Isaac’s input along the way.

About Make-a-Wish

Make-A-Wish grants the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy. According to a 2011 U.S. study of wish impact, most health professionals surveyed believe a wish-come-true has positive impacts on the health of children. Kids say wishes give them renewed strength to fight their illness, and their parents say these experiences help strengthen the entire family. Headquartered in Phoenix, Make-A-Wish is one of the world's leading children's charities, serving children in every community in the United States and its territories. With the help of generous donors and more than 33,000 volunteers, Make-A-Wish grants a wish somewhere in the country every 34 minutes. It has granted more than 285,000 wishes since its inception in 1980; more than 15,300 in 2016 alone. Visit Make-A-Wish at wish.org to learn more.

About Chicago Athenaeum Museum and GOOD DESIGN Awards

Now in its 66th year, GOOD DESIGN is the oldest and the most prestigious Awards Program organized worldwide. Founded in Chicago in 1950 by the former MoMA curator Edgar Kaufmann, Jr., GOOD DESIGN honors the yearly achievements of the best industrial and graphic designers and world manufacturers for their pursuit of extraordinary design excellence.