Welcome Kevin Bethune!

America ByDesign is excited to welcome Kevin Bethune to the team as a new series presenter. Executive Producer Mike Chapman recently had the chance to catch up with Kevin, exploring his motivations for joining the cast and the unique perspective he brings. Bethune, who self-describes as a "weird, multi-disciplinary misfit," has a rich history of working across a variety of disparate spaces. Kevin sees his role on the show as an opportunity to draw on this experience and connect some of those dots! His diverse background, spanning engineering, business, and design, fuels his passion for demystifying the power of design in everyday life.

"I think it's important for people to understand that design informs everything," Kevin shared, highlighting his excitement to showcase emerging stories that demonstrate the positive impact of creativity on our lives and society.

The conversation also touched upon Kevin’s recently released book, Nonlinear: Navigating Design with Curiosity and Conviction (The MIT Press), which resonates deeply with the spirit of America ByDesign – exploring how designers tackle ambiguity to foster relevant innovation. The interview took place at the AIA headquarters – the New AIA LA Center for Communities – which Kevin says is, in itself, an excellent example of a space functioning as a beacon for inspiration, reflecting community change and evolution. As Kevin puts it, "Designers have an opportunity to respond to needs in a way that is relevant and helps to create a path for innovation through what can often be a 'forest of ambiguity'."

Executive Producer Mike Chapman is thrilled to have Kevin Bethune on board! "Kevin's career is marked by a mosaic of roles and an impressive spectrum of experiences that I know will bring unique perspectives and insights to our design story-telling”.

With a rich history of shaping innovative solutions at companies like Nike and BCG, and as the Founder & Chief Creative Officer of dreams • design + life, Kevin’s distinctive point of view promises an exciting new dimension to America ByDesign's upcoming 2025 season.

You can catch Kevin hosting his first ByDesign story at the Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital in Episode 8 of America ByDesign, airing on July 19 at CBS News (New York Livestream), 9pm EDT.