Giovanni Pellone is the former creative director for the design driven manufacturerBenza. He is an industrial designer with 10+ years of professional experience in the management and execution of design projects involving product development, manufacturing, communication design and brand development. With an exceptional conceptual approach to design and a broad managerial experience, Giovanni’s skill-set represents a very unique combination of creative talent, technical expertise and marketing savvy. Giovanni has designed and developed retail products for the MoMA Design Store, advertising media for the New York subway, concepts for new research equipment, environmental graphics for JFK airport, and advertising for the New York Times. His innovative design work has earned awards and worldwide recognition and has regularly appeared in the world’s most respected design publications. His projects have also been featured in prestigious exhibitions at the Museum of Modern Art in New York, and at the Salone del Mobile in Milan. Giovanni holds design degrees from Parsons School of Design and Pratt Institute. He often lectures at major US universities.

For more information: www.giovannipellone.com

Makiko (Koko) Takeuchi is a graphic designer and creative director with a 10+ year design career spent between the United States and Japan. Her extensive experience spans industries such as retail and consumer products, food, fashion, film, music, transportation, financial and publishing. Makiko brings her thorough approach to conceptual design development into every project. Her main expertise lies in branding strategy through the application of broad visual platforms in various media. With a clear understanding of the role of marketing, Makiko delivers inspired ideas and outstanding execution to projects ranging from identity design, to visual communication systems, to specific product promotions. Before partnering with Giovanni Pellone, Makiko ran her own practice and worked at leading New York design firms such as Slover and Company, Carpenter Group and Wechsler Ross & Partners. She has directed and executed the development of design systems for clients such as Fleet Bank/Galaxy Funds, UBS, Leading Jewelers of the World, and City CarShare. Makiko holds a BFA in Graphic Design and BA in Anthropology from the University of Washington.

For more information: www.kokotakeuchi.com