Veteran designer Stephen White has joined GROUP OF HUMANS® as a Design Human, bringing over three decades of global experience. Formerly with PepsiCo, where he led design for brands like Pepsi, 7UP, and Gatorade, White has also worked with NIO and Nokia, focusing on design that drives growth, culture, and human connection.
Veteran designer Stephen White has joined GROUP OF HUMANS® as a Design Human, bringing over three decades of global experience. Formerly with PepsiCo, where he led design for brands like Pepsi, 7UP, and Gatorade, White has also worked with NIO and Nokia, focusing on design that drives growth, culture, and human connection.
GROUP OF HUMANS® has announced the appointment of Stephen White as its newest Design Human. With a design career spanning three decades across some of the world’s most recognisable brands, White brings with him a wealth of experience and a deep understanding of how design can drive growth, shape culture, and strengthen human connection.
White’s portfolio reflects a rare combination of global influence and cross-industry versatility. Most recently, he served at PepsiCo, where he led global design teams for the company’s international beverage portfolio — including Pepsi, 7UP, Gatorade, and Rockstar. His leadership helped define the visual and experiential identity of some of the world’s most iconic consumer brands, balancing creativity with commercial impact on a global scale.
Before his time at PepsiCo, White held senior design leadership roles at NIO, the Chinese electric vehicle company known for its futuristic aesthetic and innovative approach to automotive experience. There, he helped build design systems that connected cutting-edge technology with emotional human storytelling — an area that continues to define his approach today.
White also previously led design at Nokia, where he helped shape the evolution of mobile design during a pivotal period for the brand. Earlier in his career, he founded and ran independent design studios in London and Los Angeles, honing a collaborative approach that blends strategic insight with artistic exploration.
In joining GROUP OF HUMANS®, White steps into an environment that aligns closely with his design philosophy — one rooted in empathy, craft, and clarity. The consultancy, known for its collective model of senior creative leaders from across the world, aims to reimagine how design, technology, and business intersect to create meaningful impact.
White’s addition strengthens this vision, particularly in the areas of design leadership, innovation strategy, and creative culture building. “Stephen brings perspective to how design drives growth, culture, and human connection,” the company said in its announcement. “His experience across global brands and independent practice adds new dimension to how we help organisations design for what’s next.”
Throughout his career, White has championed design not merely as a visual discipline but as a transformative business driver. His work has consistently demonstrated how design thinking can inspire innovation and shape brand narratives that resonate deeply with people.
At PepsiCo, for example, his teams were instrumental in reimagining beverage branding for a new generation — integrating storytelling, sustainability, and sensory design into a cohesive global identity system. At NIO, he applied similar principles to automotive design, helping humanise a technology-driven brand through design language that emphasised emotion, warmth, and connection.
White’s creative philosophy combines empathy and clarity — understanding what people truly need, and expressing it through design that is both beautiful and functional. His move to GROUP OF HUMANS® represents a continuation of that mission on a broader, more collaborative platform.
Founded as a collective of senior creative professionals from different industries, GROUP OF HUMANS® operates on a principle of purposeful design — connecting experts in design, innovation, and strategy to solve modern challenges for global organisations.
White’s arrival further expands the consultancy’s ability to offer integrated creative leadership, uniting brand strategy, design execution, and organisational culture. His background in leading teams across continents aligns with the group’s international DNA and collaborative ethos.
Industry observers note that his appointment reflects a broader trend among design-led organisations — moving away from siloed creative departments toward multidisciplinary, human-centred ecosystems. White’s combination of corporate, startup, and independent experience positions him well to navigate that evolving landscape.
Those who have worked with White describe him as a designer who bridges craft and strategy — someone equally at ease in the boardroom and the design studio. His approach balances precision with playfulness, and vision with empathy.
Over the years, he has mentored numerous designers and creative leaders, advocating for design as both an artistic pursuit and a catalyst for business transformation. “Design is not decoration,” White has often said in industry talks. “It’s a language of intent — the way we express who we are and what we value.”
At GROUP OF HUMANS®, White is expected to collaborate with clients and fellow “Humans” on projects that explore design’s role in a rapidly changing world — from sustainability and technology to brand reinvention and cultural impact.
His arrival signals a continued investment by the collective in human-centred innovation, where empathy and purpose sit at the core of every creative decision.
As the boundaries between design, business, and technology continue to blur, White’s three-decade journey — spanning global corporations, creative studios, and future-forward industries — brings both perspective and inspiration to what lies ahead.
In joining GROUP OF HUMANS®, Stephen White isn’t just taking on a new title; he’s reaffirming a belief that has defined his career — that great design doesn’t just build brands; it builds meaning, connection, and momentum for what comes next.
