John Phillips
Who We Are

John Phillips

Senior Director, Design Research, Los Angeles

With a background in product and service design, John provides a different perspective on design research and strategy with an emphasis on tactical implementation. As Senior Director of Design Research and Strategy, he focuses on qualitative research projects and enjoys translating research insights into design-based outcomes. His work is instrumental in synthesizing the results of the research process through the lens of application to provide actionable results for Kelton’s clients.

John received a Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Design from Art Center College of Design, where he studied design research and strategy, information design, furniture design, user interface & experience design, and sustainability. Through a collaboration with Art Center, John completed a Masters of Business Certificate Program at INSEAD in France, focusing on strategic product and service development and entrepreneurship.

John holds a provisional patent for his EcoDeck skimboard design which won an IDEA award from IDSA/BusinessWeek, and currently has his first piece of furniture in production. John’s love of zombie mythology and literature is dead serious, and he enjoys the recent popular revival of the genre. Travel is among his greatest passions and he’s actively adding to a list of nearly 20 countries visited. John also collects jackets, despite living in sunny Los Angeles, and is an avid whiskey fan.

Perspectives from John
Perspectives

Design Research: The Perfect Tool for Our Paradigm Shift


In a post-COVID world, consumers are re-evaluating what matters, learning what they can do without, and establishing new behaviors that serve suddenly-reshaped needs. The stakes have rarely been higher for brands to truly meet consumers where they are. Enter Design Research.

Perspectives

What the Top CES Takeaways REALLY Mean for Your Brand


We hit the show floor and read all the “key takeaway” lists. Here’s what you really need to know about consumer tech in 2020 and beyond — and how to identify the meaningful implications for your brand.

Perspectives

Q1 Retail Roundup: Customer-centric Changes in BigBox Retail


The past couple weeks for BigBox Retail has been, well…BIG. From social pressure to soul searching to new alliances, change seems to be in the air as some of the most significant players in the retail space have announced a variety of major shake-ups. Though these changes run the gamut, the common thread is an increased emphasis on putting the customer first. Or at very least, putting them in a position to likely come out ahead.

Hi! We're glad you're here. Kelton Global is now part of Material,
and our site will be migrating to materialplus.io in the near future.
Visit our new website!