Ryan Hu grew up in Shanghai, graduated in Comprehensive Design then worked for international advertising agencies experiencing how world-class creativity works in the commercial realm. Instead of staying in his comfort zone, he shifted his study focus and spent 2014 studying on the MA in Design Futures & Metadesign at Goldsmiths, University London. Using radical and reflective methodological approaches to design and writing, Ryan engages with changing cultures and collaborative design practice. Personal website: www.tobehvh.com
Shanghai, China
Tim Spencer spent fifteen years in brand building for business, retail, fashion, and music, then five as an illustrator whilst starting a family. He joined a semiotics consultancy early 2010.
Notable achievements; D&AD Silver nomination for hand drawn typography campaign (Paul Smith’s R.Newbold brand c1994); Global restructure of Caterpillar's brand licensing through self-authored workshop series; Re-branded UK's PrudentialPLC; Creative direction (and illustration) of the commercial launch of Scissor Sisters; hundreds of illustrations for BBC Top Gear; and two daughters.
Brighton, UK
Arief is a budding cultural researcher and semiotician, with a BA (Hons) in International Media & Communications from the University of Nottingham, focusing on cultural studies. Aiming to grow as a communications analyst by applying cultural insights toward consumer engagement and brand development strategies, his Third Culture Kid upbringing has led to particular interest in the negotiation of transnational identities, intercultural relations, and the nuances of cultural meaning. He is also fascinated by popular culture phenomena and emergent cultures.
Bucharest, Romania