VICE PRESIDENT CREATIVE DIRECTOR, BULLETPROOF, NEW YORK NY
Steve Dunphy has spent his entire career within the NYC brand design community, working for agencies including Sterling Brands and Spring Design Partners. In that time, he has overseen everything from the redesign of billion dollar portfolio brands to the foundational creation of (once small) startup brands. His philosophy is that regardless of size or stature, every brand has a commercial challenge to be conquered, a truth to be told and a business case to be improved. He fundamentally believes in the ability of soulful strategy and powerfully conceptual design to cut-through increasing parity at shelf and recognize these goals. For the past five years, Steve has headed up the New York studio of Bulletproof, an international strategic brand and packaging design agency, after meeting a group of like-minded design fanatics with the passion and ambition to shake up the status quo of brand design in the States. When not spreading the Bulletproof gospel, Steve spends his time DJing, finding the perfect slice of pizza and being a new dad. Steve graduated with a BFA in Communication Design from Syracuse University.
WHERE WERE YOU BORN? WHERE DO YOU LIVE NOW?
Boston now Brooklyn
DID YOU GO TO DESIGN SCHOOL?
Syracuse University School of Visual & Performing Arts
LEFTY OR RIGHTY?
Righty but, I play hockey lefty
MORNING PERSON OR NIGHT OWL?
Former night owl but am trying to be a morning person with the birth of my daughter
FICTIONAL OR HISTORICAL CHARACTER YOU’VE ALWAYS IDENTIFIED WITH?
Willy Wonka
ARE YOU MUSICAL AND/OR DO YOU PLAY AN INSTRUMENT?
I like to think I am
WHAT WAS YOUR FAVORITE CHILDHOOD TV SHOW?
Diff’rent Strokes was my jam
LAST BOOK YOU READ?
The Circle by Dave Eggers
ANY PETS?
A Boston Terrier named Mack
WHAT LANGUAGES ARE YOU FLUENT IN?
English
FAVORITE MOVIE?
Basquiat
FAVORITE FINE ARTIST?
Keith Haring
FAVORITE CHARITY?
Carnegie Hall Foundation
FAVORITE FREE TIME ACTIVITY?
Hanging out with my family
WHAT’S THE LAST COMPLIMENT YOU GOT?
My wife just complimented me on my new winter sweater and jean combination.
DO YOU COLLECT ANYTHING?
I hate clutter (just don’t look at my desk)
COLOR USED MOST OFTEN IN YOUR DESIGN?
Whatever color a brand dictates!
TYPEFACE USED MOST OFTEN?
Whatever typeface a brand dictates!
DO YOU HAVE A DESIGN MENTOR OR INSPIRATION?
Alan Fletcher. His work showcased the power of simplicity and wit
GREATEST STRENGTH/WEAKNESS AS A DESIGNER?
Greatest strength: staying curious
ADVICE TO A YOUNG DESIGNER JUST STARTING OUT?
Look at every project (no matter how large or small) as a way to enhance your skills. Attack every single one with determination and an inquisitive mind.
IF YOU WERE NOT A DESIGNER, WHAT WOULD YOU BE?
I’d love to be a DJ
A MANTRA OR SAYING YOU LIVE BY?
Speak truth
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