Joseph Clinton

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Joseph D. Clinton had a long professional association with Buckminster Fuller. In 1970, Clinton worked in the School of Technology at Southern Illinois University, where Fuller taught, and researched papers on the mathematics involved with geodesics, contracted and published by NASA in 1971. Some five years later, Clinton founded Clinton International Design Consultants, an interdisciplinary design and consulting firm based on the philosophy of what he termed "the structures field of Design Science." Clinton’s work has specialized in environmentally sensitive design systems, incorporating elements such as solar and wind structures and systems. His firm did work contributing to such structures as and the Omni Max Theater for Expo 86 in Vancouver, Canada, and the Epcot Center’s Horizon Omnisphere Theater.

In Clinton’s view, the Design Science method is the most appropriate method to solving complex technological problems. "Design" (in Clinton’s view) is an integrative process: the synthesizing of parts into a whole. "Science," of course, is the empirical, logical, and systematic method of research and “ordering of experiences” (as Clinton sees it). Clinton's and his company's work has been concerned with improving the performance of both the components and processes of the specific technologies, and also of the larger system of which they are a part. Reduction of waste has been a main concern.