Rick Valicenti was called "one of the few heroes struggling to resist the mundane aspects of design" in New York design circles. Rick Valicenti is the designer attracting the most attention today. He heads the design group, THIRST, based in Chicago and displays the very latest in modern American sensibilities. His unique designs are full of humour and wit as being beautiful and strong. They lead viewers without effort and show what should be done. Rick Valicenti incorporates intutition and inspiration into his designs. It is as though he were planning a comeback for design as art but on grounds diametrically opposed to conservatism and rationality.