Prolific, outgoing, and energetic, designer Karim Rashid has been a force on the world design scene for more than three decades. That global fame is multi-dimensional. Some know him best for his exuberant pink-and-white wardrobe, others for his signature interiors — restaurants, hotels, offices, and retail showrooms around the world are immediately recognizable as Karim Rashid designs, filled with splashy colours, sensuous shapes, and futuristic stylings. And then there are the hundreds of iconic objects he has envisaged, from chairs to sneakers and water bottles to wastepaper baskets. His client list is a who’s who of international brands — Audi, Samsung, Veuve Clicquot, Hyundai, BoConcept, Issey Miyake. The list is as varied as it is long.

In October, Carleton University’s most lauded industrial design grad returns to the capital for Karim Rashid: Cultural Shaping. Billed as the first large-scale Canadian presentation of his work, the Ottawa Art Gallery extravaganza, which runs until February 2019, will showcase more than 200 of Rashid’s designs. It’s a glimpse of the designer’s incredible range, ongoing dedication to beauty, and commitment to environmental responsibility and sustainability.