Oliver Arellano is a scholar in Media, Culture and Design with 10+ years professional experience in Design and Communication strategy.

Interview with CNN, 2009

Practice

As a transdisciplinary designer, I have a political approach towards my creative practice. By political I refer to the recognition of design processes as exercises of power; therefore, the individuals, communities, and stakeholders involved either directly or indirectly are crucial actors in the processes. I help clients to recognize first the scales, the systems and the limits of the problem and what might be the right size of the solution and its ethical, political and aesthetic implications.

My services:

Branding & Identity
Creative Leadership
Design Strategy
Digital Product Design
Service Innovation
Systems Thinking
Academia & Research

Learn more

Resume

Education

Ph.D. Candidate in Communication
University of Massachusetts
2019 –

M.F.A. Transdisciplinary Design
Parsons School of Design
2016 – 2018

B.A. Graphic Design
Universidad de Monterrey
2002 – 2007

My Story

I started my career as a graphic designer in Monterrey, Mexico working at Danilo Black as a junior designer, collaborated with a variety of clients from editorial design and art direction for renewed national newspapers, to departmental stores and branding for local governments. Raised among a new young and talented generation of mexican designers inspired by european modernist movements. I was introduced into a whole new branding ideas and standards, soon my work outstanded and I was granted a fellowship in Washington, DC. Before moving to US, I also worked as a consultant for media agencies. Where I learned to work on fast paced environments, delivering exquisite design experiences and with high effectiveness on message delivery.

In Washington, D.C. I worked as a technology consultant for governments, politicians and educational institutions in both Mexico and the United States. Developed a wide range of experience in multi-cultural marketing and research, in consumer insights and consumer understanding. I created dozens of websites and mayor online communication strategies for elections over the world, including presidential campaigns for Colombia, Brazil and Ireland to mention some.

With wide understanding on media, culture, and technology challenges, I am able to approach Innovation Strategy from an interdisciplinary background in social and cultural analysis, along with training in art and technology.

Clients and Partnerships

Parsons School of Design
Design Research & Faculty

Government of Mexico
Communications Consultant

Fashion Industry
Design Business Research

Freshkills Park, NYC
Design Research

National Commission for the Development of the Indigenous Peoples
Communications Consultant

Case Studies