About

Nuncle is an interdisciplinary design studio focusing on engaging projects that encourage commonality, promote a diversity of perspectives, support social awareness, and provide greater exposure for pressing issues facing our society and our planet. We engage projects small and large, from ideation to execution leading audiences to important content through the use of thoughtful, contextual, and impactful design solutions.

Nuncle has worked to conceptualize, direct and creative direct projects for film and television, science and technology, and festivals and advertising campaigns.

The company name, Nuncle, is taken from William Shakespeare's, 'King Lear'. The translation can be an abbreviation of 'an uncle' or can be loosely defined as a 'kindly counselor'. In the Shakespeare play, the 'Fool'(Court Jester) often addresses the King as 'Mine Nuncle'. This odd word always stuck with me both in appearance and the sound, feeling familiar yet foreign, much like a modern colloquial phrasing but for Elizabethan times.

As a designer and the founder of Nuncle, Steven Otto LaMorte sees his work very much in keeping with the idea of a 'kindly counselor'—charged with the responsibility of carefully listening to client directives and intelligently consulting on how those directives might be actualized utilizing thoughtful, engaging, thought provoking, and beautiful design.

Outside of working hours, Steven enjoys many interests and hobbies. Having a profound fascination for science, Steven regularly engages study of the human body with a particular focus on human anatomy and human physiology. Fine art has played a central role in Steven's life and he maintains a practice of drawing and painting, regularly attending life drawing and oil painting classes at the venerable Art Students League in New York City. Working with natural materials is integral to Steven's creative expresssion and he is a self-taught journeyman carpenter, having designed and built furniture for his home and businesses. Steven also enjoys being a novice gardener having studied horticulture, plant biology, and garden ecosystems.
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Mind and body health play a central role in Steven's life: he is an avid runner and newly minted daily practitioner of both yoga and mediation.

Steven started Nuncle in the early aughts, took a hiatus during the pandemic to dive into the world of yoga(which has proven to be transformative), and has now returned to refocus on his design work. Steven's dedication to design is driven by his desire for good and his understanding that great design has the power to forge pathways to critically important content that profoundly impacts people's lives.

Steven is a part-time single parent and father who loves to laugh and travel with his two amazing and inspiring teenage girls.

Outside of working hours, Steven enjoys many interests and hobbies.

Mind and body consciousness play a central role in Steven's life—he is an avid runner and practices yoga and mediation daily.

Steven has a deep interest in human biology and science in general with a particular fondness for anatomy and physiology. Steven maintains a practice of life drawing and painting and regularly attends classes at The Art Students League in Manhattan. Steven is also a journeyman carpenter, having designed and built furniture for his home and businesses, as well as a novice gardener having studied plant biology and horticulture.

Being consciously present is central to Steven's creative and day-to-day ideology and this process-driven perspective informs his life and work. Steven exemplifies a growth mindset and exudes a contagious excitement for inspired and actionable ideas. Steven feels at home in social settings and has a natural ability to initiate open dialogue and foster a positive atmosphere in which to engage the creative process.

Steven is a part-time single parent and father to two amazing and inspiring teenage girls.