Aaron Nesser’s career in technology and entrepreneurship, with a focus on Earth-positive innovation, is built on his background in biology and industrial design. While a student at Pratt, in 2016, he cofounded the biomaterial company Keel Labs, which has been featured on the Stella McCartney runway and in product drops by designer Mr. Bailey. Nesser then launched Keep Earth Company, his own studio where he collaborates with businesses to develop planet-minded solutions, such as clothing repair patches and seaweed-paper packaging. His most recent work, a bioactive planter pot created in partnership with Fun Stuff Design (Julian Goldman, MID ’17, and Dierdre Shea, MID ’18), was recently launched by Ocean Made. Nesser spoke with Prattfolio about his design origins, what’s keeping him energized, and a simple tactic he uses for getting unstuck.
Who’s the first designer you saw yourself in/connected with?
Without a doubt, my father. For my entire childhood and still today, he has been a corporate identity designer. It meant that design legends like Eames and Vignelli, and contemporary masters like Erik Spiekermann and Michael Bierut were household names.
Who or what is a major influence for you today in your work?
Victor Papanek and his book Design for the Real World. It introduced me to the idea that design could be a force for good. His critical view on industry and the designer’s role as a changemaker still resonates with me today.
What’s a chance you’re glad you took?
Starting Keel Labs (f.k.a. AlgiKnit). It seemed crazy for someone trained in biology and design to start a material science company, but it showed me how incredibly valuable design is to the entrepreneurship process. As a discipline, design excels at bringing people together across different disciplines.
Is there a “failure” that turned into a breakthrough?
Raising money is failure after failure until you succeed. The one time I really missed the mark led me to learn and develop the best practices that I use with my clients to build their pitch and support them through the fundraising process.
What question or mantra has helped guide you through your career?
“Never stop.” It’s one of my favorite songs of all time by The Bad Plus and it’s been a mantra for me in those high-intensity times when pushing through does make all the difference.
What’s your favorite part of your job today?
Getting to meet founders who are tackling huge (sometimes wicked) problems, and developing technologies that will help keep Earth comfortable for the future.
What’s energizing you now?
Science, politics, climate, AI—the world moves so fast, it’s hard not to be energized.
What’s a daily practice that prepares you for your work?
Time blocking time at the end of the day—especially when things are busy, it helps dissipate the energy of work so I can go into the evening without distraction.
What’s a tool you can’t live without?
My favorite lately is this new app called Granola AI. It’s like a notepad that I use to take notes during meetings, but it also transcribes in the background, so that after the meeting is over, it can fill in things that you forgot to write down.
When you hit a roadblock, what’s your tactic for getting unstuck?
Change the medium. If I’m on the computer, I’ll try paper and pen. If I’m writing, I’ll talk it out. In a conversation, start sketching.
Where do you creatively recharge?
Prospect Park and Greenwood Cemetery are my go-to green spaces to walk and talk. And the Hudson River School paintings at the Brooklyn Museum.
Be patient—making a difference doesn’t happen on day one. For most people, it takes an entire career.
Being based in NYC, what’s the most inspiring place in the city for you?
The Garment District—the access to so many different types of materials and parts. The possibilities are always inspiring.
How has living in the city influenced your work, from bio-based design to helping launch sustainable ventures?
New York City simply has so much going on, it’s so much easier to connect the dots than in other cities. I grew up in Minneapolis and went to school in Wisconsin. It took me a little time to get used to living in New York, but the opportunities at your fingertips in New York are just unparalleled.
What piece of advice would you give a young designer looking for their place to make a difference?
Be patient—making a difference doesn’t happen on day one. For most people, it takes an entire career.
What’s one book/show/podcast you’d recommend?
Drilled—it’s a true-crime podcast about the oil industry and climate change. It’s a thrilling story, and a real-life demonstration of the raw power of storytelling. I wouldn’t say it’s a fun or happy story, but it’s critically important history that is also incredibly inspiring and motivating.
If you have mentees, is there a question you always ask them?
“Can you say that again, but simpler?”
Simple doesn’t mean dumbing it down — it means opening the door for others to get excited about your vision.
It’s a question I ask every founder I work with (often many times). It’s the start of transforming how they pitch their companies. Founders live and breathe their innovations, diving deep into details that most people don’t appreciate. But that first spark of understanding is what turns skeptics into believers.
Is there a piece of advice you’re glad you didn’t take?
“Try harder.” What I’ve found is that when something isn’t working, it’s usually the approach that’s at issue, not the level of effort.
What’s the best advice you’ve received, or words of wisdom that come up again and again for you?
Lean toward discomfort rather than protecting yourself from it. Pema Chödrön talks about it best in When Things Fall Apart . . . when you’re at the edge of your comfort, that’s where the most learning and growth happens.
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