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Tim Brown
Tim Brown
01:52

Tim Brown

IDEO

Palo Alto, CA USA

"I feel the most respect for people who keep searching. There are plenty of people who realize they are in the wrong thing and just keep looking."

Career Roadmap

Tim's work combines: Art, Design, and Being Creative

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Day In The Life

CEO

I'm an industrial designer and speak about the value of design thinking and innovation to promote peoples' well-being.

Skills & Education

Here's the path I took:

  • High School

  • Bachelor's Degree

    Industrial and Product Design

    Northumbria University, England

  • Graduate Degree

    Industrial and Product Design

    Royal College of Art, England

Life & Career Milestones

My path in life has been direct

  • 1.

    He grew up in England, where he went through the classical English school system.

  • 2.

    From an early age, he was interested in fine arts.

  • 3.

    When he told his advisors that he wanted to go to art school, they discouraged him, told him he'd never make any money.

  • 4.

    He originally went to art school to study painting, but then he discovered industrial design.

  • 5.

    Fell in love with design, and went on to do his graduate work at the Royal College of Art in London.

  • 6.

    After school, he moved to San Francisco and joined what would become the precursor to IDEO.

  • 7.

    He's been with IDEO since 1987, a rarity in this day and age, and a testament to the company's exciting culture.

  • 8.

    Reminds road-trippers to follow their own dreams over others' advice; says your parents don't have to live with your career-you do.