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Hello, I'm
Steve Fuchs

Designer. Professor. Maker. Adventurer. Surfer.

About

  • Name: Steven Raymond Fuchs, Jr. (SRF)
  • Email: stevenfuchs@gmail.com
  • Phone: 310.753.4050 *texts preferred*
  • Birthday: October 7th (Libra)
  • Hometown: Los Angeles, CA | USA
  • Nationality: United States

Personal Statement

As a designer, professor, maker, adventurer, and surfer, I balance professional & disciplinary “creative flows”—where symbiotic connections to energies beyond human understanding coexist. Design, and life in general, is all about learning to balance and flow with these energies in our environment, complex systems, and diverse cultures.

Resume & Bio (PDF)Full CV (PDF) signature

Skills

Areas of Focus

One of the best pieces of advice I've ever received was... "Steve, you can do anything. Choose 3 to 4 areas you want to focus your attention on and be the best you can at them." —Ed Keller

Designer

Consultant, 33 years

Professor

Educator, 25 years

Maker

Lifelong, 38 years

Adventurer

Surfer, 40 years

Knowledge

Over the course of my journey, I've continually developed my gifts & skills into expertise and enjoy practicing and teaching the following disciplines and subjects.

  • Architecture
  • Interior Design
  • Graphic Design
  • Design Fabrication
  • Experimental Robotics
  • Creative Direction
  • AR & VR Worldbuilding
  • Film Production
  • Event Planning
  • Typography
  • 3D Modeling & Rendering
  • Technical Illustration
  • Curriculum Design
  • Grant Writing
  • Maker Culture

Design Languages

Within design, there are many "languages" to learn, practice, and teach. Three of my design language interests are listed below.

Concept & Design Thinking
Branding & Emerging Media
3D Programming & Computational Design

Experience

33+ Years of Experience!

I'm a multidisciplinary designer, tenured Architecture & Design Professor at Orange Coast College (OCC), Adjunct Faculty at the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising (FIDM) in the Bachelor of Design and Associate degree programs, and 38-year resident of Los Angeles by way of Hawaii.

SRF Concepts

Design Director

2001 - Current
Multidisciplinary Designer: Working on a wide range of projects, including creative direction, architecture, interiors, fabrication, surfboard shaping, graphic design, brand identity, web development, 3D modeling, real-time visualization, film production, book writing, and curriculum development.
Orange Coast College (OCC)

Tenured Professor

2012 - Current
$1 Million Grant Writer (CCCmaker.com): Hired as an architecture studio and digital fabrication professor, now also directing a campus makerspace to support project-based learning and making on campus, with a special emphasis in emerging technology and action sports culture.
Fashion Institute (FIDM)

Design Faculty

2014 - Current
2018 FIDM Teacher of the Year: Part of the Bachelor of Design and Associate degree programs as an adjunct faculty member where I teach prototyping, 3D modeling and graphic design, including 3D printing and personal brand development.
Harrington College of Design

Graduate Faculty

2010 - 2012
Program Co-Leader and Graduate Thesis Coordinator: Brought on to help lead an expanding graduate interior architecture program, including advanced digital & computational design methods, theoretical focus & collaboration, and intellectual enrichment of thesis year.
Gehry Technologies

Senior Project
Consultant

2007 - 2010
Digital Design Researcher and Collaboration Environment Manager: Implemented strategic team, project, and building information management systems in worldwide architecture projects, including software development and 3D models for design, visualization, drawings, construction, and fabrication.
Panelite, LLC

Design Manager
& Fabricator

2005 - 2007
Material Innovation & Complex Fabrication: Managed and fabricated design solutions for architectural and interior projects that incorporated advanced resin-based panel systems, custom geometric shapes, and product line development.
John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Illustrator
& Researcher

1996 - 2004
Assistant to Dr. Osamu "Art" Wakita: Engaged in technical advising (computer-aided design & office standards), manuscript editing (3 books), and 1000+ illustrations (CAD & 3D models to convey architecture, construction, and graphic concepts).
Previous Experience

CAD Manager
& Assistant

1988 - 2001
The Early Years: Worked with local architecture firms and contractors coordinating projects, managing team resources, designing and drawing construction documents (by hand & CAD), pulling permits, and developing graphic assets.

Education

Design is a journey!

I earned a Master of Architecture II from the Southern California Institute of Architecture (SCI-Arc, 2006), and in 2011, I received an employer-based scholarship to engage in a Doctor of Computer Science specializing in Emerging Media, specifically researching how extended reality (XR | VR & AR) affects design studios and project-based learning (currently on hold).

Colorado Tech

Doctor of Computer Science

2011 - (on hold)
RESEARCH
“Extending Design Education” (working)
A transdisciplinary, design education curriculum & extended reality (XR) creative collaboration platform
SCI-Arc

Master of Architecture II

2004 - 2006
THESIS
“Coversion: Interactive Design Solution Networks”
Design of a massively participatory network platform to radically challenge design expertise and educational methodologies, given cultural and technological evolution, by restructuring curriculum using spatial design and fabrication as facilitators of project-based learning
Thomas Edison

Bachelor of Science (BSAST)

2002 - 2004
EMPHASIS
Applied Science & Technology
Diversified knowledge was developed within the architectural technology fields, including practical experience in teaching and writing about computer-aided design & building information management. Alpha Sigma Lambda National Honor Society member (non-traditional excellence).
Los Angeles Harbor College

Associate of Arts & Science

1988 - 2002
EMPHASIS
Architectural Technology
Associate member of the American Institute of Architects and multiple competitions won in both portfolio and essay format. President's & Dean's list, Alpha Gamma Sigma Honor Society, recognized twice by the California State Senate & Assembly for personal & scholastic achievement and community improvement. Grant writer and awardee (faculty Internet training & web development).

Portfolio

My portfolio features many multidisciplinary collaborations

Recent highlights of my career: $1 million CCCMaker.com makerspace grant & college investment (2016–2019), FormFoundDesign.com (2016–2018), Stoked! The Series (2014–2017), Featured Artist in MANA: The Film (2014); Graduate Faculty at Harrington College of Design (2010–2012); Senior Project Consultant with famed architect Frank Gehry (2007–2010); Design Life Now: Cooper-Hewitt Triennial (2007); and a long list of global surf travel.

View 2023 Portfolios & 2012 Look Book (issuu.com)

Video Highlights (Scroll)

Library

Books I Have Recently Read

While not a compendium of all books I have read, these are some of my favorites from Goodreads. Reading is a fundamental act of opening ourselves up to new cultures, ideas, and possibilities. Read something new every day to discover more about yourself and our world(s).

Books I Am Reading

I think it is helpful to share what is currently inspiring and influencing us. What intellectual adventure(s) are you currently on? Which interests are solid enough to get us to read more about them? Theses books are a testament to going beyond inspiration.

Books I Want to Read

Keeping track of the topics, authors, and the titles we most care about is important. Goodreads helps me keep track of and share the things that are gaining traction in my spirit, heart, and mind--past, present, and future--if you will.

Contact

Let's Keep In Touch

Feel free to contact me about anything you think I may be interested in. Also, I'm very happy to provide initial consultation on design, architecture, fabrication, surfing-related projects, and love sharing my adventures! Thanks for coming to check out my website.

Steve Fuchs
Los Angeles, CA | USA
Mobile
310.753.4050 *texts preferred*

I'm also on Social Networks

Don't hesitate to follow me on any social platform, and definitely comment, when you have something interesting to say or you just want to say hi.

Drop Me a Line

Steve Fuchs

designer.
professor.
maker.
adventurer.
surfer.