Jane Withers, Director
Jane Withers studied Art History at the Courtauld and has an MA in Design History from the V&A / Royal College of Art. She was a journalist and curator writing internationally and published several design books before founding her own studio in 2001.
She teaches and speaks internationally, and has served on numerous juries and advisory boards. She has been a visiting lecturer at the Royal College of Art and Design Academy Eindhoven, and Kingston University/Design Museum. Jane was awarded an honorary fellowship by University of Westminster for services to the environment, and recently received Milan’s Design Prize for Experimentation.
Ria Hawthorn, Project Director
Ria leads many of the studio’s projects from concept development to delivery and is particularly interested in researching and championing sustainable and regenerative design approaches, as well as emerging design talent. Recent projects include Water Loop and Brompton Design District. Ria works closely with clients and collaborators and has expertise in commissioning all kinds of design.
A design curator and project manager with more than 10 years’ experience at institutions such as the British Council and the Design Museum, Ria initially studied Contemporary Furniture Design and holds an MA in Curating Contemporary Design from Kingston University and the Design Museum.
Miranda Vane, Curatorial Researcher
Miranda joined the studio in 2017 and focuses on project research and development, as well writing and editing. An historian by training, Miranda’s research interests include looking back in time to find new ideas for the future, and applying design approaches to subjects not conventionally considered design. Miranda is involved in the early stages of many studio projects, and has contributed extensively to Water Futures and Materialising Colour: Journeys with Giulio Ridolfo, amongst many others.
Miranda has an MA in the History of Design from the Royal College of Art/V&A and alongside her work at the studio she is also a PhD candidate at the Kingston School of Art, researching the design history of technological responses to environmental anxieties about food production.