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STEVEN TATAR, Creative Catalyst
 

Son of the Midwest

Citizen of the World 

steven@steventatar.com

(+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).

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