Wewerke Design is Krista Humphrey and Bernard Mitchell. We are a Canadian design couple. Two distinctly unique individuals with different creative approaches and voices; a complementary united pair of dreamers and achievers.
Our shared creative drive led us to jointly pursue an education in design at Art Center College of Design, in Pasadena California, from which we graduated in the spring of 2017, each with a Bachelor's of Science in Product Design.
We had a mutual dream: to open our own design studio; a place where we could explore our creative ideas and imaginings, and help bring others’ dreams to reality also. Now that we have honed our skills, and with our dream still intact, it is time to build that future.
We are a brand new design studio, our senses are primed, and we are ready to share our enthusiasm with the world around us. We yearn to engage with other like (and unlike) minded individuals and gain some exposure for ourselves as well.
I come from old world roots, a traditional upbringing on a family farm which instilled a very solid work ethic. The example set by the strong women around me gave me the knowledge that if I wanted something, I could make it myself.
Life then brought me a kindred spirit, another determined dreamer and maker, and we began a squirrel’s journey of traveling, collecting, and preparing for something bigger. Bernie and I agreed on a mutual goal of going to school for design. By renovating, flipping houses, running our own successful tiling business and then selling it all, we were able to fulfill our dream.
My passion stems from the belief that design should make you feel something beyond the satisfaction of basic function. It is both experiential and emotional. The choice of materials, color, pattern, and the tactility of an object, has a direct impact on how it affects people emotionally and how they will choose to interact with it.
My personal aesthetic makes you want to look twice, to be intrigued and engaged; to bring an element of illusion or the fantastic that shares my sense of curiosity with others.
One of my favourite quotes is: “Being realistic is the most commonly traveled road to mediocrity." I’m glad I've taken a different path :)
I was the kid who took everything apart and had to look inside. My curiosity got me into trouble and it still does. I am a quiet nomad whose heart lives in the mountains. I like taking risks, always seek adventure, and enjoy getting dirty.
I am a maker and creator who loves design, whether it's furniture and lighting, industrial design, or architecture. I am deeply passionate about the earth and its life and the importance of its preservation for future generations. I wish to collaborate with nature and not just take from it. I love to snowboard, mountain bike, and dance.
I am a critical thinker who is interested in the intersection of art and design. When I design, I first consider the impact of the materials being used and how the object can be made sustainably. I build a framework around the best possible outcomes that consider human factors, design thinking, and the environment. I am driven to be part of the solution, not the problem.
My partner, fellow designer and graduate Krista, and I,now excitedly leap out of the Art Center nest into the world of design with the launch of our own studio Wewerke Design. This will be a coming together of our different approaches and common value systems to bring change to our world.
Bernard Mitchell
About us