Bran is a designer and technologist working in entertainment, product development, engineering, architecture and the sciences. Prior to starting Applied Minds Inc., with partner Danny Hillis, he was President of Research & Development and Creative Technology for Walt Disney.
His design career has included special visual effects, lighting and sound design for many Hollywood films, Broadway shows, Theme Park attractions and Rock & Roll tours. He has also been lead designer for multiple exhibitions, special purpose vehicles (one displayed at the Museum of Modern Art in NY), consumer products, and several major architectural and interior design projects.
As a designer, conceptual engineer and technical consultant his clients have included General Motors, Herman Miller, IBM, Intel, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, The Walt Disney Company and Warner Communications.
He has been very active in both film and theater, and received multiple awards by The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (including an Oscar nomination), the New York Drama Desk, Los Angeles Critics Circle and Maharam Foundations. He is a recipient of the Wally Russell lifetime achievement award for lighting design, and the Kilby Award for significant contributions to society.
In addition to his current leadership role with Applied Minds, Bran is a senior advisory board member for science, advanced technology, and innovation management, to seven US Government agencies, and the US Senate.
A popular guest lecturer, Bran has given over 100 keynote presentations on a wide range of topics including design, technology, creativity & innovation, entertainment, and storytelling.
