1. Jesse Stevens
Products are often physical, sometimes intangible, can be long lasting or ephemeral, they are however always experiences that we engage with on a
variety of levels.
It is no surprise then that product design is a multifaceted industry, where one is expected to be not only a ‘jack of all trades’ but a master as well,
where problem solving and innovation are daily tasks.
From a background in ‘making’ I have developed a design process sensitive to material and production. My sculptural training has given me a strong
sense of the aesthetic and the ability to bring to the forward my creative visions, toned and shaped by the rigor of manufacturing process and the
expectations of the market.
My traveling and varied work experience has taught me a lot about different peoples needs and wants, giving me a cultural sensitivity and an
international perspective.
The part of design that I am most interested in is the ability for an object or experience to produce a positive emotional response in an individual or group.
Our challenge is to provide whole, substantial and meaningful experiences knowing that any interface will continually deliver feedback, communicating
with us in physical, mental and emotional contexts.
For example a ‘cradle to cradle’ production cycle gives positive emotional feedback by reducing guilt or embarrassment of negative environmental
impacts. Offering a positive physical, mental and emotional experience both for the consumer, the producer, primary material supplier and in the re-use
of the by products.
Or tools that function so well that there is a definitive ‘joy’ in their use, toys that provide entertainment whilst teaching fundamental skills to a specific
stage of development. Choosing an aesthetic for both these objects that allows us to understand their use at a glance, communicating with the user and
consumer immediately in a vernacular that is clearly readable.
Producing successful products demands that we find what people aspire to, we create beautiful experiences that satisfy consumers in a way that
enriches their lives, both immediately and in the future. We have an obligation to eliminate embarrassment as people interact with our products and to
future proof these products in a sustainable way.
Being a specialized generalist has drawn me towards management roles where I am able to communicate with clients, understand and define briefs, then
specify and follow the design process, navigating through creative development, production, marketing and distribution.
I enjoy the challenge in strategic planning and direction and am happiest problem solving in a design led environment.
My accumulated set of skills allows me to understand and participate in all levels of the design process, meaning I can confidently offer my services as a
design team member , design team leader, and preferably design project manager.
Ph: 07799623060
jesse_stevens@yahoo.com
2. 2009 United Kingdom Oliver Goldsmith Sunglasses Ltd Operations and Design Manager, Strategic Direction
2008 United Kingdom Oliver Goldsmith Sunglasses Ltd Operations and Design Manager, Strategic Direction
2008 United Kingdom Cutler and Gross Ltd (London) Senior Designer, Production Manager
2007 United Kingdom Cutler and Gross Ltd (London) Senior Designer, Production Manager
2006 United Kingdom Modular Lighting instruments (London) Senior Designer, Strategic Direction
2005 Italy Officinesantandrea design studio (Verona) Principle designer, strategic direction, prototypes
2004 New Zealand DUD design Principle designer, manager
Otago Polytechnic product design Lecturer, Technician
Otago University product design Lecturer, Tutor, Student
2003 New Zealand Otago Polytechnic School of Product Design Lecturer, Technician
Otago University School of Design Tutor, Student
2002 New Zealand DUD design Principle Designer, Manager
2001 Italy Miguel Berrocal Studios _ Sculptor (Verona) Technician, Apprentice
2000 Italy Miguel Berrocal Studios _ Sculptor (Verona) Technician, Apprentice
1999 France Les Ateliers School of Industrial Design (Paris) Student Scholarship
1998 New Zealand Otago School of Fine Arts (Dunedin) Student
1997 New Zealand Otago School of Fine Arts (Dunedin) Student
1996 New Zealand Otago University School of Design (Dunedin) Student
1995 Australia Palace Hotel Restaurant and Bar (Sydney) General Manager
Computers - Rhino 3D, Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, AutoCAD, Freehand, Microsoft office, Microsoft Project
Materials knowledge – wood (laminates, furniture), metals (engineering, foundry, forged), plastics (roto molded, formed, injected),
resins and fibers (cast and laminated), glass (casting), ceramics (thrown, cast, industrial)
Bachelor of Fine Arts _ Sculpture
Bachelor of Arts _ Product Design
Fluent Italian speaker
Basic French and Spanish
Current drivers license
3. Eyewear design, operations management and strategic planning – full management involvement from concept, object and market
Oliver Goldsmith Sunglasses Ltd, London 2008 - 2009
4. Eyewear design, production management and strategic planning – full management involvement from concept, object and market
Design and production collaborations with Mulberry, Comme des Garcons, Richard James and Rapha
Cutler and Gross Ltd, London 2007 - 2008
5. Lighting design, product and installation, domestic, retail and commercial lighting - work for Zaha Hadid, Armani, Stella McCartney, Richard Rogers
Modular Lighting Instruments, London 2006 - 2007
6. Design and prototype construction, interior design, furniture and lighting (company clients include Armani and Rolls Royce)
Officinesantandrea, Verona, Italy 2005 - 2006
7. Folding furniture design – one sheet of plywood laser cut leaving near zero waste
Designed and built, DUD design, New Zealand (Concept, construction and project management)
8. Bronze door handles for Allan Brown house - Minh Hall Architects, Nelson, New Zealand
Designed and built, DUD design, NZ (Concept , construction and project management)
9. Michael Seresin bronze door handle design, Marlborough Sounds, New Zealand – Pete Bossley Architects, Auckland, New Zealand
Designed and built, DUD design, NZ (Concept, construction and project management)
10. Fiber glass feature lamps – AAP Architects, Verona, Italy Top: Oil drum lights Light Fabric – LED,
solar charger and
Concept , construction and project management Mid: Wine flask lamps
batteries
Bottom: Drain pipe light
Lighting projects
12. Stool - laminated Chair - single length of
Moon Lander table Garden seat - Birch and Sandstone
wood and resin aluminium tube
Concept and construction Concept and construction
Concept and Concept and prototype
construction construction
Furniture projects
13. Public sculpture – Dunedin City Council, New Zealand Sir Edmund Hillary Franko B fiber glass body cast
bronze statue Verona, Italy
Design, Construction and project management
Mt Cook
Construction of 7 multiples and project
Team size 3 New Zealand
management
Construction and
Team size 1
project management
Team size 3
Commissioned sculpture work
14. Concrete dog Bird house architecture Soccer player (8ft) Sculpture by Miguel Berrocal
Concept and construction Concept and construction Concept and construction Construction
Sculpture work in Italy
15. Mini storage tanks Sign with two backs Bull rushes Birdhouses
Concept and construction Concept and construction Concept and construction Concept and construction
Sculpture work in New Zealand
16. Please contact me
Ph: 07799623060
jesse_stevens@yahoo.com
References available on request.
