Experience

Belle & Wissell, Co.

• United States
• Design Services
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Founder and Principal

  • Aug 2003 - Present

  Belle & Wissell, Co. crafts memorable, participatory experiences that blend inventive design and technology. With exceptional craftsmanship and a set of modern tools, the studio creates content-rich, participatory experiences for exhibit environments and other public spaces. Belle & Wissell collaborates on diverse commissions by providing design and technical capabilities, content creation, and curatorial services for: -Media art installations -Multi-touch interactives -Interpretive exhibitions -Documentary films -Branded story environments -Web experiences -Limited-edition printed projects Every project has a unique makeup that demands a specialized approach to assure success, challenging teams of staff and partners to constantly evolve their creative, technical, and collaborative methods. Motivated by a firm belief that form must follow function, Belle & Wissell always designs with a prototyping approach (testing-as-they-go). Designer Gabe Kean founded this independent studio in 2003. Its genesis emerged from the premise that only design that has purpose and function by its audience can be truly successful. Now, with an expanded and experienced staff, the studio collaborates with clients and partners around the globe to create and guide audiences through memorable, participatory experiences. Belle & Wissell embraces its diverse commissions which include complete exhibits, interactive art installations, retail environments, media kiosks, and Web experiences. Show less



Born Presents / Born Magazine

• Founder and Artistic Director

  • Jun 1996 - Oct 2011

  In 1996, Gabe founded Born Presents—a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that united literature and multimedia to create experimental, narrative works. Born made space for collaborations that, otherwise, might never have occurred—poets, creative writers, designers, and software developers (connected from around the world) worked together to expand their forms of expression. In 1996, Gabe founded Born Presents—a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that united literature and multimedia to create experimental, narrative works. Born made space for collaborations that, otherwise, might never have occurred—poets, creative writers, designers, and software developers (connected from around the world) worked together to expand their forms of expression.



Second Story Interactive Studios

• Lead Designer

  • Jan 2000 - Jun 2003

  Art direction and visual design for a variety of projects that included museum interactives, broadband web sites, and Second Story branded print materials. Art direction and visual design for a variety of projects that included museum interactives, broadband web sites, and Second Story branded print materials.



Altrec.com

• United States

• Senior Designer

  • Jun 1998 - Jan 2000

  -branding and interface design for this outdoor industry e-commerce/content website. -member of the founding team -designed award-winning "Crown of Africa" (www.crownofafrica.com) and "Route360" (www.route360.com) -branding and interface design for this outdoor industry e-commerce/content website. -member of the founding team -designed award-winning "Crown of Africa" (www.crownofafrica.com) and "Route360" (www.route360.com)



Joppa / Edge Design Inc.

• Graphic Designer

  • Mar 1996 - May 1998

  -interface design for websites -graphic design for brand developent -graphic design for print advertising -interface design for websites -graphic design for brand developent -graphic design for print advertising