Hello, I’m Steven.
You could say I work in the Family Business as creative thinkers, marketers and tinkerers fill my family tree and DNA. I am an avid student of design history and collector of objects (whether historically significant, culturally iconic, notable or just amuse me). The lessons I learn; the observations and qualities from these seasoned objects are easily reverse-engineered into principles create the stories that my projects and products need to convey with the addition of words, images, packaging, context, and more.
Using creative thinking and design as a means to address and solve difficult problems, I have been fortunate to focus my talents to serve significant organizations, enterprises and ethical causes - professionally, as a volunteer, and board member.
Clients, roles and projects include: Carhartt, The Ann Arbor Street Art Fair, The American Cancer Society, Michigan Medicine, Duo Security, Cisco Systems, Inc., Masco, KraftMaid, 3M, University of Michigan Athletics, Two James Distillery, Leon Speakers, Magna International, Mercedes Benz Financial, and more.
Currently seeking new opportunites. Please find my resumé here.
T R A I N I N G / C E R T I F I C AT I O N / P R O F E S S I O N A L D E V E L O P M E N T
Board of Directors, Ann Arbor Street Art Fair, The Original, 2023-present
Jason Cyr, Chief Design Officer, VP Product Design, Cisco Systems Inc. (Mentor 2023)
Design Dept., Design Leadership Fundamentals I, 2023
Cisco Design Thinking Practitioner, Certified, 2019
Search Inside Yourself Institute:
Mindful Leadership, 2018
Graphic Design Curriculum Advisory Board:
Washtenaw County Community College, 2017-2021
IDEO U: Leading for Creativity Training & Certification, 2017
ZingTRAIN / Zingerman’s Bottom Line Change Training, 2017
Situational Leadership II (SLII)/ Ken Blanchard Training, 2017
Panelist: Portfolio Review, Washtenaw County Community College, 2016
Panelist: Portfolio Review, The Stamps School of Art & Design, The University of Michigan, 2016
Michigan Softball Academy Breast Cancer Volunteer Committee, 2014-2024
555 Studios and Gallery, Co-founder
555 Studios and Gallery, Board of Directors, 2003-2005
555 Studios and Gallery, Director of Public Relations and Marketing, 2003-2005
Detroit Colour Council, Professional Member 2003-2004
Industrial Designers Society of America (IDSA), Professional Member 2001-2004
Industrial Designers Society of America (IDSA), Student Chapter President,
University of Michigan, STAMPS School of Art and Design (2001)
A W A R D S / E X H I B I T I O N S
Featured Artist, November 2013
The Performance Network
Ann Arbor, MI
Featured Artist, April 2014
Espresso Royale Café
Ann Arbor, MI
New Work: Paintings by Cullen Neaton
& Steven Samuels 2006
Bab’s Underground Lounge
Ann Arbor, MI
FINALIST: 2003 SMARTPapers Kite Design Competition
Smithsonian Institute, Arts & Industry Museum
Washington, DC
William Carter Award
STAMPS School of Art & Design
University of Michigan, 2001
Demetrius Andrews Memorial Award
STAMPS School of Art & Design
University of Michigan, 2001
It’s Okay, We’re Here
Detroit Skateboard Art & Culture Show, 2005
Ghostly International
Record Label Launch Party
Artist / contributor