Sharing Dreams/Compartiendo Sueños 2007:
Design in Culture/Diseño en Cultura

Jesse Thomas

Design Creativity is everywhere in our culture. Even in our darkest days we can use design and creativity to remember and inspire.

These recent days have been shaped by war and violence and although it doesn’t on first glance appear to inspire, it brings a lot to mind. Rebirth and new life were themes in my thoughts.

My piece shows layers of ideas, and emotions.

Bio

Jesse is the Art Director for AOL’s elite Experience Prototype Lab. Part user experience expert, part researcher, part user-interface designer, part designer, and part business analyst, Jesse develops prototypes and creates conceptual blueprints for cutting-edge, online experiences across the AOL brand.

Prior to AOL, Jesse employed a range of design- and consultant-based skills at two of Washington DC’s premiere PR firms, Ogilvy PR and Qorvis Communications.

While at Ogilvy, Jesse art directed the 360 Digital Influence team providing both the high-level concepts as well as the technical- and design-based follow-through to service clients such as Intel, Lenovo, BP, The National Law Enforcement Museum and DuPont. An adage that holds true with his current position at AOL, Jesse is known as “the Idea Guy,” which he continues to view as both an honor and a responsibility.

Before Ogilvy, Jesse led the charge in developing the Creative Services Division at Qorvis Communications. The department has since grown into a 15 person team. Jesse won an Addy award for his work on Studley.com in 2005 and a bronze SABRE Award in 2006 for the Smithsonian Latino Center’s website design.

Jesse continues to speak at industry events in DC and NYC, most recently featured at Podcamp NYC in April 2007, leading a seminar on “Blog Design”. He has also held a number of successful solo and group art shows in Washington DC and in New York City. Jesse is always looking to collaborate with other like minded geniuses.