Hi there, I’m Steven Phillips. I see myself as a “creative problem-solver” but my email signature usually says Creative Director or Art Director. I am freelancing for some of 2024 and open to work on creative projects both large and small.
Click here to jump to the Services page and see what it is I do and how I could help your brand.
Click here to view a select Archive of 20+ years of my personal and professional output.
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After graduating with a degree in Industrial Design, I began my career as a furniture designer. I found myself creating photorealistic 3D imagery as a way to convey my designs more clearly which led me to pursue a full time role in Architectural Visualization. In 2009 I studied shoemaking to further expand my design skillset, and in the following years I designed, 3D printed and hand-made shoes and accessories for clients and fashion designers from across the globe.
In 2013 I joined one of Australia’s best Service Design agencies and immersed myself in human centered design practices. A move to New York in 2018 brought me back to the world of Architecture and allowed me to explore advertising, film making and app design on a much grander scale, leading a global team with a focus on authentic storytelling and human interaction.
In my spare time* I work on music videos where I can and love to learn new software. I am currently immersed in a deep dive into AI, open source software and real-time engines. I feel there is a real opportunity to push forward the creative process and help democratize the creation of digital content using these freely available tools.
*I don’t get much sleep.
Primary Skillset
Creative Direction
I am comfortable leading a team of creatives, large or small. Client-facing experience delivering pitches, identifying project milestones and synthesizing project stakeholders’ wants and needs into an actionable creative plan.
I happily stay across current trends, with a personal preference for the worlds of Fashion and Music.
AI Art Direction
I feel like AI Art Direction is becoming something new, outside of traditional creative work. Using tools like MidJourney, it is possible for one person to conceptualize and visualize entire creative treatments, delivering more in one day than a dozen manually assembled look-and-feel pages ever could. This new approach requires a solid set of reference points and a grasp on modern vocabulary to harness these tools and not just make visual noise. I am keen to do more, let’s talk. [examples here]
Film & Storytelling
I love to bring relevant, memorable and marketable stories to the projects I work on. I have led and participated in a variety of film projects over the years, from 30 sec commercials to short films and award winning music videos.
3D Visualization
I have notched up 20+ years of Product, Fashion and Architectural Visualization experience using 3ds Max, Vray, Corona, Blender, Unreal Engine, CLO and many other 3D software packages.
Motion Graphics
Proficient with all corners of the Adobe Creative Suite, with a good 10+ years of experience using After Effects.
HCD, UX and UI
Confident in all aspects of a Human Centered Design process. Working in what could be broadly defined as User Experience, Service Design, Strategy, Forecasting and Interaction Design, primarily using Figma for pixel perfect UI deliverables.
Product Design
Bachelor of Design (Industrial Design) and experience designing consumer products, packaging, fashion, shoes and accessories.