Iain Thorp

“My passion for design flows from the potential to give significance and meaning to ordinary objects, environments and experiences. Great design is whole design, meaning that it makes a tangible life-difference on as many levels as possible in ever-widening circles.”

As Corporate Design Strategist, Iain works across disciplines to help create long-term vision for the organization using design methods and expertise to solve complex business and product development problems. He is also responsible for creating and visualizing the near and long-term product design strategy, including the design of future product concepts and applications.

He has held the position of Head of Design for Haworth North America, lead the design portion of Haworth’s design-centered cultural transformation, managed the internal design studio and served as Lead Designer for Haworth’s Ideation Group.  He began his career as a design intern in at Haworth in 1989.

Iain’s vast experience also includes working at IDEO as a senior designer collaborating on projects for Ford, Steelcase and Brunswick among others, and at Steelcase Design Studio. Throughout his career, he has been recognized with numerous design awards and patents.

Iain graduated with honors in 1991 with a BFA in Industrial Design from Kendall College of Art & Design.  He spent his formative years in New Zealand and now lives with his wife Brendolyn and three children Esther, Luke and Adrian in West Michigan.