Augustus Rivers

20+ years | Design across public and private sectors: UN agencies, NGOs, and businesses.

*also credited as Augustus Rivers Brightman in earlier work.

View Resume

Design is the art of making the invisible visible.

Experience

Freelance

Designer

December 2022 - Present
Vermont, United States

Design with nonprofits and international groups, paying attention to culture and context so the work connects with diverse audiences.
Develop and deliver design work across websites, publications, brand systems, and social campaigns.
Create identities that are clear, memorable, and usable across platforms.
Design and refine interfaces that work smoothly so people don’t have to fight the tools they use.
Contribute design recognized by organizations including UNDCO, UNDP, WHO, and UNICEF for strengthening engagement with global initiatives.

Bereavement

For nearly twenty years I was the sole caregiver for my mother during her battle with Multiple Sclerosis. Her passing in 2018 brought deep grief, and I stepped back to grieve and recover. Those years tested every fiber of my being, but they also taught me the value of presence, listening, the dignity of seeing people in their full humanity, and the necessity of standing in solidarity with marginalized communities. My focus now is on projects with social impact: work that supports others, challenges stigma, practices inclusive design, and builds a more compassionate world.

Beta Technologies

Founding team member

February 2016 - August 2018
Vermont, United States

Joined CEO as one of two founding team members, shaping brand and early operations.
Directed creative vision, building Beta's identity through logo, website, and key collateral.
Oversaw procurement and onboarding, coordinating directly with manufacturers on aircraft components.
Helped secure early investment by presenting Beta’s vision and value to investors.
Collaborated on eVTOL aircraft simulations, using data to improve design decisions.

Brightman

Brand Strategy & Design Consultant

Jan 2002 - Feb 2016
Vermont, United States

Redesigned brand identities, including Breville, driving double-digit market share growth across North America.
Developed investor decks for FinTech startups, clarifying strategy and helping secure funding.
Led corporate simulations (“war games”) to strengthen collaboration and decision-making across teams.
Produced competitive intelligence reports for healthcare, intelligence, and consumer goods clients.

Early Career

IBM Global Services / Mayatek / Excentrus

2000 – 2008

Started my career in design and technical roles at IBM, Mayatek, and Excentrus. At IBM, I worked on the Y2K transition, upgrading systems under tight deadlines. At Mayatek, I designed manuals and marketing materials for healthcare and consumer products. As co-founder of Excentrus, I focused on the intersection of design, music, and technology, developing rehabilitation tools with GE Healthcare and creating digital assets for healthcare and intelligence clients. These roles built my foundation in problem-solving and cross-disciplinary design.

Education

University of Vermont

Bachelor of Arts

Major: Political Science and Middle Eastern Studies
Minor: Religion

Patents

Selectively deployable heated propulsor system

Patent number(s): 11685533, 20210380261, 11124304, 20200031478

Abstract: A selectively deployable heated propulsor system which may be integrated into vehicles, airplanes, or any other machinery configured for flight. The system includes a structural feature that includes a mounted propulsor including a rotor and a motor mechanically coupled to the rotor allowing the rotor to rotate when in an activated mode. The mounted propulsor includes a chamber configured to support a first configuration where the propulsor and the rotor are stowed and heated in an enclosed environment, and a second configuration where the rotor is deployed.

Filed: August 17, 2021
Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
Assignee: BETA AIR, LLC
Inventors: Kyle B. Clark, Martine Rothblatt, Riley Griffin, Augustus Brightman, Steven Arms, Herman Wiegman

20200031478

Core Design

Brand Identity & Strategy
Typography & Layout
Editorial & Print

Application Dev/Design
Product & Packaging Design
Data Visualization

Map Design
Motion Graphics
WordPress Design & Development

Workflow & Ops

Project Management*
Creative Workflow

Competitive Intelligence
Supply Chain Oversight

*(MS Project, Asana, Slack)

Tools

Adobe Creative Suite
Figma
Final Cut Pro

SketchUp
OnShape
WordPress

When I'm not designing, I'm making art & music.

Get in touch...

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