OCAD students to design new home for Mickey Mouse

TORONTO — Students at Toronto’s OCAD University are being given the exclusive opportunity to design a new home for Mickey Mouse.

OCAD, specializing in art, design and media, was granted the rights to the project by Disney, a media statement issued Aug. 23 noted. Students will engage in a design competition and the winning projects will be on display at the first EDIT: Expo for Design, Innovation and Technology, to be held in Toronto Sept. 28 to Oct. 8.

"Mickey Mouse’s Home of the Future is our way of inspiring creativity, while telling the important story of sustainability, with the hopes we can help elicit positive change for generations to come," said Janice Lau-Pearson, head of franchise, Disney consumer products and interactive, Canada in the statement. "At our first encounter with EDIT, we recognized immediately the perfect alignment in our messaging."

"We take pride in knowing that our artists and designers address some of the complex challenges that we face in our world today, from social justice to health and environmental sustainability," commented Gillian Siddall, vice-president, academic and provost, OCAD University. "This collaboration is fitting and very much aligned with our belief as a university, that creativity and imagination can improve the world."

"Design can truly transform our lives for the better, and yet the power of design often goes unnoticed," said Shauna Levy, president and CEO of Design Exchange. "At EDIT, people will get to experience Mickey Mouse’s Home of the Future and see how innovative solutions are brought to life through design."