Stephen Burks fades the line between industrial manufacturing and artisanal design. His contemporary outlook is unique as he brings “the hand to industry”.
Born in Chicago in 1969, Burks studied architecture and product design at the Illinois Institute of Technology and Columbia University Graduate School of Architecture. For over a decade, he has bridged authentic craft traditions, industrial manufacturing, and contemporary design, consulting for non-profits including Aid to Artisans, the Clinton Global Initiative, Design Network Africa, Artesanias de Colombia and the Nature Conservancy, uniting the artisan, the designer, and global brands in a triangle of immersive development. One that is future-focused and aligned with his conscious designs. Based in New York, his studio, Man Made, produces products, furniture, lighting, and exhibitions for a range of international clients, including B&B Italia, Boffi, Cappellini, Dedar, Dedon, Harry Winston,
Missoni, Moroso, Parachilna, Roche Bobois, Swarovski and BD. In 2015, he was the Cooper Hewitt National Design Award winner in Product Design and designed the Grasso armchair, one of our favourites, for BD in 2010.