Diego Olivero

About Diego Olivero

Every designed object, space, and installation has a story as do the hands and minds that make them. My studio’s multidisciplinary design practice focuses on the manipulation of techniques, materials, and physical elements, as well as social enterprise projects that foster sustainable economic development in low-income communities and speak to diverse, culturally rich craft traditions and aesthetics from around the globe. Across product design, interior spaces, and large-scale art exhibits, I draw influence from over fifteen years leading creative projects in the United States, Central and South America, and Europe. As a partner to Fortune 500 home furnishing brands, I’ve worked as a product designer, program consultant, and supplier to help bolster enterprise objectives related to corporate social responsibility (CSR), diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE & I), and environmental, and social and corporate governance (ESG) as well as sustainability goals. My work with leading brands includes collaborations with Williams and Sonoma Inc.’s (WSI) West Elm, where I built a design and sustainability platform alongside the product team as part of WSI’s CSR commitments and goals. This resulted in the production of more than 200K co-branded products featuring wall art, sculpture, objects, and furniture which generated $12M+ in sales. I have designed many of my brand collaborations onsite, with a network of global fair-trade suppliers in India, Mexico, Guatemala along with several others.My studio’s portfolio includes Meso Goods, which I originally co-founded as a social enterprise working with hundreds of artisans in Latin America. Our projects grounded in my passion for handcraft techniques and innovative plays on Central American design traditions. Today, Meso Goods distributes products via retail organizations in over 20 countries featuring designs of my own and others. We’ve grown from a Guatemala-based start-up to and now work in Guatemala, Honduras and Mexico and serves as a sustainable and artisan-made supplier to marquee brands, including West Elm, CB2, and ABC Carpet and Home between others. My studio’s multidisciplinary projects and collaborations have featured in Architectural Digest, The BBC, Elle Décor, Domino Magazine and T Magazine, among others, with awards including The Public Medal at the 2018 London Design Biennale and two Gold Awards at the (2019) Interior Designers Society in Mexico City. Most recently, in 2022, the United States Department of State commissioned my studio to produce a large scale, sculptural textile installation.

Experience

1. Founder

   MESO

   Jun 2010 — Present · NY, US

   At Meso Goods, I apply my entrepreneurial spirit and background designing home products to generate positive change as well as sustainable income for artisans across Latin America. A big part of this role involves building NGO partnerships to deliver positive economic impact in Guatemala. I also supervise a team of designers to create and curate various collections. Positioned artisans in rural parts of Latin American for success by collaborating with regional partners to craft, refine, and promote traditional products with modern style. Produced revenue growth as well as positive change by developing high-quality products that improved consumer well-being while also providing appealing aesthetics. Organized, hosted, and continuously improved social driven platform and annual event, CONVERSA that promotes social design projects throughout Guatemala.

Education

• The Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale

  BS, Industrial Design

  2004 — 2008

Skills

• Marketing Strategy
• Furniture
• Graphic Design
• Microsoft Office
• Product Design
• Residential Design
• Autocad
• Concept Development
• Interior Design
• Rendering
• Design Strategy
• Photography
• Strategic Planning
• Illustrator
• Architectures
• Art
• Concept Design
• Sketching
• Industrial Design