Oen Hammonds Joins Diversify by Design Advisory Council

We have exciting news to share! Oen Hammonds, a Distinguished Design executive at IBM, has joined the Diversify by Design (DxD) Advisory Council. With his impressive background and deep commitment to inclusive design practices, Oen is poised to bring invaluable insights to our mission of empowering diverse voices in the design industry.

Throughout his career, Oen has remained dedicated to creating meaningful, human-centered design solutions. Over this 25 year career, Oen has been at the forefront of shaping inclusive design strategies across multiple industries. His leadership and commitment to fostering diversity in design have been consistent themes throughout this journey.

Oen’s path into design was shaped by his early experiences growing up in Louisville, Kentucky, where his passion for art and design led him to pursue a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design. His professional journey began at Benchmark in Cincinnati, where he played a key role in creative direction for major brands like Noxzema, Olay, and Safeguard. From there, his work took him around the globe, as he lectured and spoke on design at prestigious events such as Cairo Design Week and the Yale Business by Design Conference.

In addition to his corporate achievements, Oen has always been a staunch advocate for community service and mentorship. He co-founded The Artery, a non-profit gallery and studio space in Newport, Kentucky, that has empowered emerging artists and designers. His commitment to uplifting underrepresented creatives aligns deeply with DxD’s mission to increase representation and opportunities for designers of color.