Frogdesign takes a leap into NY

US/German consultancy Frog- design is expanding into New York City.

The office will be headed up by Tucker Viemeister, who leaves his position as vice-president of Smart Design this week.

Frogdesign’s existing US offices are in Sunnyvale, California and Texas (the result of a recent acquisition), but New York is seen as more central between Europe and the west coast.

Staff will be brought in from the other Frogdesign offices, and Viemeister is also “looking to hire the best designers – product, graphic and multimedia”, he says. The plan is to keep the outfit small to begin with and grow to about 20 strong.

Viemeister, who will take on the role of creative director at the new office, says: “I will lend my multi-dimensional talents to projects throughout the Frog Integrated Strategic Design Network”.

The new set-up will not open officially until the autumn, and until then Viemeister will be “squatting”.

His decision to leave Smart after 17 years was so that he could “grow personally”.

He will not be directly replaced, but the product consultancy’s three other associates will take up the slack, he adds.