Frank Nuovo
Nuovo led Nokia’s design research and strategy for the corporation whose story of growth, innovation, and unique company culture many consider to be one of the most successful in modern history. Nokia’s innovations combined technology, usability and style with user-centered design resulting in UI/UX standards commonly used for many of today’s mobile and smart devices. Nuovo and his design team are credited as a core reason why Nokia was able to achieve and maintain global mobile phone industry leadership and hold it for a decade – also while setting Nokia’s position as the world’s 5th most valuable brand. (Interbrand).
In 1997, following Nuovo’s desire to merge technology and finely crafted objects, Nuovo proposed a luxury communications brand which was then accepted and funded by Nokia. Launched in Paris in 2002, Nuovo’ s achieved his vision for Vertu as pioneer for premium materials and high craft processes and personal service in mobile. While Nokia remained world leader, Nuovo left his Chief of Design position in Nokia in 2006 to independently pursue success with Vertu. In 2012, as Vertu achieved a stellar position as the leading global luxury and technology brand, and Nokia sold its stake in the company, Nuovo decided to again move on and focus entirely on his Design Studio Nuovo.
Nuovo is an Honorary Trustee of the Art Center College of Design who has also honored Nuovo with the prestigious Alumni Lifetime Achievement Award. Additionally, The Art Center presented Nuovo with a Doctorate of science degree in recognition of his life’s work in the field of Industrial Design.
Nuovo’ s work and that of his design teams have been featured in museums around the world including the Museum of Modern Art “Workspheres” (New York), and the Neus Museum Nurnberg Sammlung Design, The Cooper Hewitt National Design Museum permanent collection and as part of the design triennial and also the Essen Design Museum, Essen Germany.
His life’s work and story has been featured in publications including The New Yorker, Wired, Business Week, Fortune, Fast Company, Newsweek, Architectural Digest The Robb Report, GQ, Vogue, Elle, Harper’s Bazaar, The New York Times and the New York Times Magazine, The Wall Street Journal, the Los Angeles Times, The Singapore Straights Times, Dagens Industri, The Financial Times, among others.
