Kevin Bethune on Realizing Dreams Through Design

ArtCenter College of Design’s bi-weekly podcast features intimate interviews with leading artists examining the ideas fueling their work and how the creative process can be a catalyst for change—personally, professionally and globally. Hosted by ArtCenter President, Lorne M. Buchman, these conversations examine the many ways in which artists and designers are enriching our lives. ArtCenter College of Design is a global leader in art and design education; and our mission statement—Learn to create. Influence change—lies at the center of all we do.

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Like the consummate designer he is, Kevin Bethune has iterated his own job description.

Kevin’s strikingly diverse career-path includes stints as a nuclear engineer at Westinghouse Electric, a financial manager at Nike, and strategic design innovator at Boston Consulting group—all achievements that would stand alone as a high-point on most resumes.

But Kevin still had goals he’d yet to articulate and accomplish. And, as you’ll hear through his deeply introspective reflections in this episode of Change Lab, Kevin takes his dreams very seriously. So seriously, in fact, that they became the driving force behind his current venture, an innovation think-tank called dreams, design + life.

Animated by the idea of bringing a child-like openness and imagination to realizing our highest possibilities, Kevin now leads a multi-disciplinary team at dreams, design + life. There, he uses design innovation tools to help businesses plan for an uncertain future.

Kevin is a unicorn even by Silicon Valley standards. He comes to the table bearing a trio of specialized degrees from prestigious institutions, including a Master of Science in Industrial Design from ArtCenter. And, perhaps even more rare and relevant to his success is the kindness, humility, and integrity he brings to every layer of his creative process.

Though he has faced his share of obstacles as a person of color, he has prevailed by remaining true to his commitment to connecting people with their dreams and taking the high road in business and in life.

–Lorne M. Buchman

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Change Lab is hosted by Lorne M. Buchman and brought to you by the ArtCenter College of Design. Subscribe now, for free, on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Kevin Bethune is the Founder and Chief Creative Officer of dreams • design + life, a think tank delivering design & innovation services using a human-centered approach. Kevin’s background spans engineering, business, and design in equal proportion over his 20+ year career, positioning him to help brands deliver meaningful innovations to enrich people’s lives and experiences. Kevin started dd•l in the Spring of 2018, after serving as the Vice President of Strategic Design at BCG Digital Ventures.