Chester Chipperfield — Creative Director & Advisor

I’m a multidisciplinary creative leader and advisor, working at the intersection of technology, design, architecture, and culture. Over the past two decades, I’ve helped shape some of the world’s most influential brands, from heritage fashion houses to next-generation energy, mobility, and AI companies.‍

 

My professional path began at the Bartlett School of Architecture in London, where I trained as an architect. I was drawn not just to buildings but to the systems, interfaces, and experiences that surround them. That curiosity led me, at 21, to found my first creative agency - a studio focused on digital experimentation, editorial design, and cultural storytelling. We worked with a range of forward-thinking clients, including Tank Magazine, Saatchi & Saatchi, Antony Gormley, and the Wellcome Foundation, developing campaigns and platforms that blended design with narrative and emerging technology.‍

 

At 26, I joined Burberry, where I was tasked with building and leading the brand’s digital and interactive design function. Over four years, I helped scale the team from five to over sixty, working closely with Angela Ahrendts, Christopher Bailey, and Greg Stogdon. Our team spearheaded the reinvention of Burberry.com and pioneered integrated online/offline retail experiences, including the digital transformation of the Regent Street flagship. At a time when the fashion industry was just beginning to take digital seriously, Burberry’s approach became a benchmark for luxury brands worldwide.‍

 

In 2014, I joined Apple as Head of Special Projects, initially focused on the launch of the Apple Watch—Apple’s first new product category in over a decade. This role brought me into the heart of Apple’s product development ecosystem, offering a rare perspective across hardware, software, services, and retail. I worked cross-functionally with teams spanning Industrial Design, Human Interface, Retail, and Marketing, learning firsthand how Apple orchestrates its creative and technical disciplines.‍

In 2016, I was recruited via SpaceX to join Tesla as Global Creative Director. There, I oversaw all external and internal expressions of the Tesla brand. I led creative across digital platforms (including tesla.com and the Tesla App), retail store architecture, merchandise, and product storytelling. I also worked directly with Elon Musk and Tesla’s senior engineering leadership to evolve the in-car user interface and unify the brand’s visual and experiential identity across all touchpoints. Tesla’s scale, speed, and ambition made it one of the most challenging and formative experiences of my career.‍