Wednesday / June 06, 2018 / 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM
History and Evolution of Italian Design: a strategic approach to product design
Ciao Chicago, 1656 West Chicago Avenue, Chicago
Gensler’s Steve Meier and Vincenzo Centinaro will highlight some of the most influential designers from the past and discuss historical moments that have contributed to comtemporay Italian design culture and language. In addition, Steven and Vincenzo will discuss a human-centered and research-based approach as a way to find and solve complex design challenges.
Steven C. Meier, IDSA, LEED® AP; Principal
Product Design Director, Practice Area Leader | Gensler
Steven is an Industrial Designer with experience in Architectural planning, Interior design, Product design & positioning. Passionate about using design to solve human-centric problems, he has been integral to building the Product Design Practice at Gensler, taking on a broad range of Firmwide and Regional leadership roles. Leveraging insights from over 25 years of experience leading global design and planning assignments for Corporate headquarters, Financial services, Retail, Consumer and Industrial Product clients, he has developed deep knowledge of product applications for commercial environments. His leadership of strategic design research assignments has led to multiple successful product introductions for workplace, educational and mixed use environments. Although based in Chicago, Steven spends much of his time on global assignments from Europe to Asia.
Vincenzo Centinaro; Associate
Design Strategist | Gensler
Vincenzo is an experienced design strategist with expertise and background in product design, visual communication, and art direction. As part of the Gensler’s Workplace Consulting practice, Vincenzo’s primary role is to analyze, de-code, and translate insights into tangible solutions, design directions, and business opportunities.Vincenzo combines qualitative and quantitative design research methods to deliver holistic design solutions that are aligned with both client’s vision and user’s needs. Through his leadership and global experience, Vincenzo has contributed to the development of successful products, strategies, and experiences in the built environment for global accounts - from Tech to Processional Services and Consumer-goods practices - in North America, Europe, and Asia through a systematic, strategic, and creative thinking.Vincenzo is based in Chicago, and has spent most of his life and career across Italy, Spain, China, and U.S.
