STEVEN TATAR, Creative Catalyst
Son of the Midwest
Citizen of the World
(+1) 216.272.6375
Education
Kent State University, School of Visual Communications
Studies in Digital Communications
University of New Mexico School of Architecture
Studies in Structures & Materials
Cleveland Institute of Art, Cleveland, OH
BFA, Glass and Sculpture,
Cornell University
Pre-Med Studies
Experience
2006-present: Creative Director, Ohio Knitting Mills.
Founded and created apparel brand based on historic knitting mill. Built and managed a team of up to seven staff and specialists, while conceiving and executing all aspects of company’s development and growth, including strategy, brand development, product development and marketing communications
2000-present: Independent Design Consultant
Created numerous products, places, and experiences for public and private clients.
2000: Creative Director; marchFIRST
Developed and managed 12-person brand-building practice at this global ecommerce consultancy.
1996-2000: Director Creative Resources, American Greetings
Developed and managed project and product design teams for 350-person studio; recruited and hired creative professionals for positions ranging from junior graphic designer to senior manager.
1993-1996: Product Planner, American Greetings
Designed greeting cards and gift products. Led design of numerous product catergories of $400 million account, the company’s single largest. Developed and managed team to concept and prototype new products.
Publications & Media
Authored "The Ohio Knitting Mills Knitting Book", Artisan Books, 2010.
Work reviewed in numerous print & online publications, including:
Monocle - Popeye - Metropolis - Men's Vogue - Country Living
Figaro Japan - Hong Kong Weekend - Paper - Midwest Modern
Nylon - WGSN - Popular Mechanics - Oxford American - NPR
Skills
Business Strategy - Brand Development - Product Development Communication Design - Market Positioning - Business Planning PR / Media Relations - Interior & Retail Design - Capital & Partner Development - Print & Digital Advertising - Sales
All the digital basics: Adobe CS, MS Office, social media maneuvering.
SketchUp, Fusion360, somewhat rudimentary in HTML, CSS.
Sketching, Prototyping, Iterating, Modeling, Presenting.
Traveling, Listening, Writing, Participating, Investigating, Explaining.
Construction: have built houses, stores, galleries, studios, exhibits, branded environments, landscapes, and cafes; Textile & apparel design and construction. Fabrication in metal, wood, glass, plastics, stone, ceramics, castables; Functional knowledge of electrical & plumbing systems. Photography & Photo Styling; Fire Arts (glass, ceramics, metal forming & casting).
He's got the skills to pay the bills.
Gigs
LECTURES
“Design Thinking 2016 Forum”, San Francisco,
“Urban Manufacturing Conference”, Toronto
RISD, Parsons, Vassar College, Pratt, Kent State University, others.
RESIDENCIES & WORKSHOPS
AIGA National Design Conference
Studio Art Center International, Florence, Italy
Oxbow School of The Art Institute of Chicago
The Exploratorium, San Francisco, CA
Alaska Visual Arts Center, Anchorage, AK
Vermont Carving Studio, West Rutland, VT
Kalamazoo Institute of Art, Kalamazoo, MI
Grants & Awards
Cleveland AAF: Addy Award
AIGA 52 Show: “Design Excellence”
Ohio Arts Council Individual Artist Fellowship
Interfaith Institute, Silver Medal
Pilchuck Glass School, Scholarship
Penland School of Crafts, Crafts Fellowship
When not designing and making stuff, he might likely be traveling and exploring, looking at maps, playing various musical instruments, flanuering, or playing basketball (rather badly).