John Stevens

Head of Strategy

Expertise: design management and strategy

“Firms that really ‘get’ design make damn sure it is permitted to reach through and between all areas of their organisation. Not as easy as it sounds - the connections are fragile and the benefits hard to quantify”

John’s specialities lie within design management and strategy, matching an organisation’s strategic concerns to design’s potential contribution, through all areas of an organisation. He is passionate about design’s value in creating experiences with clarity and impact, simplifying complex tasks, and making interactions clear, easy and pleasurable for all:

“Firms that really ‘get’ design make damn sure it is permitted to reach through and between all areas of their organisation. Not as easy as it sounds - the connections are fragile and the benefits hard to quantify. But design integrates and shapes the ways an organisation is experienced, not only by the customer but by all stake-holders. This underpins the true meaning of ‘brand’, and right now this means firms need to engage design specialists that can join the dots. New Brand Media know their bit and where they fit, and I’m delighted to be associated with their great work.”

John holds a BSc in molecular biology from King’s College, London and a Master’s in Industrial Design Engineering from the Royal College of Art (with Imperial College). He has worked for 10 years in industry including five as Head of Design for a dot.com technology company, where he was creative director and manager of the 12-strong design team, followed by three years as an independent design consultant.

He is also a contributing lecturer in industrial design and project tutor on the MET1 course. He is currently researching for a PhD at Cambridge University, investigating the role of design as a strategic resource. He loves snowboarding and Jelly Babies.