FOUNDER & CHIEF INVESTIGATOR, ASTRO STUDIOS, SAN FRANCISCO CA
Brett founded ASTRO Studios in 1994 to blend design, technology and cultural insights into a wide range of iconic, market defining products and brands. Over the past 24 years, Brett has designed or directed the creation of over 500 new products and 100 new brands including two of his own. ASTRO Studios was named one of the world’s most innovative design companies of 2018 according to Fast Company, and its projects have won international design awards and recognition, all helping to establish Brett as one of America’s leading entrepreneurial designers and advocate for design in business. To date, projects designed by ASTRO have helped clients generate over $60 billion in new revenue, worldwide, with a few highlights including Nike’s Triax Watch Series, the Nike Fuelband, Microsoft Xbox360 gaming console, Shinola Electric & Audio, and many more.
WHERE WERE YOU BORN AND WHERE DO YOU LIVE NOW?
Born in Virginia, and I live in California.
DID YOU GO TO DESIGN SCHOOL?
Yes. BYU.
LEFTY OR RIGHTY?
Righty, unless I’m covered, then I have a strong left hook shot.
MORNING PERSON OR NIGHT OWL?
Nighthawk
FICTIONAL OR HISTORICAL CHARACTER YOU IDENTIFY WITH?
Mike Ness of Social Distortion fame… is he historical yet?
ARE YOU MUSICAL AND/OR PLAY AN INSTRUMENT?
I can painfully pick a guitar.
FAVORITE BOOK?
Skipping political, religious or self-help, then 1776 by David McCullough.
FAVORITE MOVIE?
Young Frankenstein… what?… it’s flawless….
FAVORITE TV BINGE WATCH?
VIKINGS
FAVORITE SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORM?
Instagramification
FAVORITE PODCAST?
The Habitat; the true story of a NASA experiment where 6 volunteers are sent to live on a “fake planet Mars” in Hawaii.
FAVORITE FINE ARTIST?
Basquiat, this year
FAVORITE CHARITY OR CAUSE?
Mothers Without Borders
FAVORITE FREE TIME ACTIVITY?
Daydreaming
COLLECT ANYTHING?
Friends & 1980s Basketball Cards
WHICH AREA OF GRAPHIC DESIGN IS GROWING THE MOST?
Digital Experiences
DESIGN MENTOR/INSPIRATION/HERO?
An amalgam of many designers and entrepreneurs I’ve worked with over the years who, in my head, I just call “Boss.”
GREATEST STRENGTH/WEAKNESS AS A DESIGNER?
Strength: Connecting disparate dots of relevance. Weakness: Hoping others will exceed my expectations.
ADVICE TO A YOUNG DESIGNER JUST STARTING OUT?
Experiment continuously until you know who you are as a human, then designer.
IF YOU WERE NOT A DESIGNER, WHAT WOULD YOU BE?
A worthless critic.
A MANTRA OR SAYING YOU LIVE BY?
“It’s not about me.”
