John Phillips

John Phillips knew at an early age that he would pursue a career in design. Initially interested in sculpture and graphic design, Phillips studied Applied Arts at Cuesta College in San Luis Obispo, CA, refining a foundation of craftsmanship and design practicality in woodworking, metalworking, plastics and ceramics.

Eager to broaden a perspective and inspiration base, Phillips travelled internationally and spent a year teaching English in design-centric Berlin, Germany, before returning to the United States to begin the industrial design program at Art Center College of Design. As a product design major, Phillips worked on a variety of projects ranging from consumer and lifestyle goods to hospitality industry solutions. He received an IDEA award for his sustainable skimboard concept and was featured in the Taschen publication Product Design in the Sustainable Era. As a participant of the business exchange program at INSEAD in France, Phillips’ studies in strategic product and service development led to his subsequent work focusing on design strategy and its convergence with design research, trend analysis, and branding.

Phillips nurtures a parallel interest in furniture and lighting design. His first work, Reveal Table, explores the blurred line of lighting and furniture while his lounge concept, Aperture Chair, considers the full range of physical properties offered by wood as a seating material.

While attending Art Center, Phillips served as the Industrial Designers Society of America student chapter chair.