Aaron Abbott

Leading a global design team that is responsible for designing and innovating appliance products and related UX/UI.

Responsible for managing product plans and product design for North America Laundry Products.
•Establish product plan for North American market by benchmarking, conducting consumer insights, and recognizing gaps and opportunities in the market.
•Create Technical and Appearance Roadmaps.
•Manage Industrial Design and Consumer insights team.

Manage all front-load laundry plus air and water product designs in the North American market. Lead all concept creation and bring all new product programs to market by collaborating cross-functionally with engineering, software, marketing, and manufacturing teams. Work with manufacturing and engineering on cost out and ease of manufacturability initiatives. Manage a team of multiple designers.
• Led NPI for industry-changing Front Load washer with Ultrafresh Vent; Doubled its projected sales in the first year and grew the GE Appliances front load industry shares from 3% to 17%. Program’s goal was to gain 2 national floor spots and secured 8 national floor spots in the first 6 months of launch.
• Led a team of 5 designers to develop an industry-changing front-load washer and dryer pair.
• Designed and developed the World’s first full-size combination front-load washer and dryer.
• Designed and developed a complex UX/UI LCD interface and workflow for an all-in-one washer and dryer
• Designed and developed clothing steam closet.
• Designed and developed commercial laundry machines.
• Designed and developed new line of electric and gas tankless water heaters Travel domestically and internationally to meet with suppliers to finalize product design specifications and quality adherence.
• Won 2023 IDEA Bronze Award winner for Prifole Combo All In One Washer Dryer
• Won 2022 IDEA Bronze Award winner for Profile Front Load Washer in Home Products, 2021 IMDA and Award for best user interface on a consumer good IMD part.
• Named as 2021 IDEA Finalist for Front Load Laundry in Home Products, 2021 IDEA Finalist for Modern Glass Home/Kitchen Products and 2020 IDEA Finalist for Laundry in Home Products.
• Issued five patents

Led all Industrial Design NPIs for laundry/clothes care, room AC, filtration products, and Monogram refrigeration. Worked cross-functionally with engineering, marketing, and manufacturing to bring products to market and drive out cost while also considering ease of manufacturability.
• Designed and developed Mongram’s first built-in luxury refrigerator.
• Designed a co-branded Keurig water filter.
• Designed and brought to market a line of innovative ventless dehumidifier.
• Develop a VBL for GE Appliances Air Conditioning products.
• Developed an auto-dosing detergent system for top-load washers.
• Designed and developed a front control top load washer and dryer system.
• Managed and maintained updates to all existing laundry SKUs.
• Won 2017 Haier Innovation Award for laundry.

Responsible for leading the design team for new product development. The design team is responsible for creating concept sketches, 3D modeling, prototyping, and release to production of new product designs.

o 2015 IDEA finalist for product design in the Outdoor and Garden Category

Major projects and accomplishments include:
• Led the visual brand language redesign for the True Temper brand that has seen increased sales by 26% over the previous year’s brand design.
• Designed a 35 SKU striking tool line that is on track to displace our largest competitor nationally at Home Depot stores
• Organized prototyping lab layout & prototype sample request system that increased time efficiency by 20%
• Led team collaboration on a water hose cart design targeted to open up a new price point using a combination of materials and innovative assembly methods.

Responsible for leading all concept generation and refinement of brand design and new product design on outdoor lawn and garden tools, non-powered construction tools, and water hose reels. Conduct extensive ethnography research for consumer validation as well as customer presentations. Create designs from sketches, “proof of concept” models and 3D CAD Surface Files for transfer to Development Engineering for “Design for Manufacturability”

o 2014 IDEA Bronze Award Winner for Brand Design in the Design Strategy Category

Major projects and accomplishments include:
• Led New Product Development in the design of an award winning leaf rake that enabled AMES to move the retail in its category market by 40%
• Managed redesign of Visual Brand Language across 5 brands and over 300 SKU’s that resulted in higher brand recognition and higher channel placement
• Key leader in developing brand standard books that were produced and distributed to all employees that resulted in better control and adherence to brand standards and consistency
• Led redesign of a water hose reel/deck box that reduced material and assembly cost that resulted in displacing a competitor and increased margin by a projected 7%
• Develop and manage multiple designs for new products and product line extensions from initial concept through prototyping, modeling, and initiating production tooling
• Conducted detailed end user research to ensure final product designs met the consumer needs
• Deliver presentations on new product designs to largest customers. (Home Depot and Lowes)
• Partner with Lowe’s team to develop Kobalt products, industry specific
• Travel domestically and internationally meeting with suppliers to finalize product designs specification adherence
• Maintain the design’s conceptual integrity by coordinating and communicating with Engineering, Manufacturing and Procurement

POSITION SUMMARY

Provide leadership and manage all Industrial Design functions for a highly innovative and diverse company. Design fully integrated life
support and protection systems including helmet systems specific to U.S. Armed Forces. Provide innovative improvements addressing
weaknesses in existing designs to enhance safety and preserve life. Consult with end users in the U.S. Military to determine needs and
develop solution paths. Determine schedule requirements and manage the design process to meet crucial deadlines. Secure and
coordinate outside design consultants.

MAJOR ACCOMPLISHMENTS

• Led the Industrial Design aspects of a modular fighter pilot helmet system that resulted in being awarded a $95 million development contract. Continued to lead design efforts through product development. This helmet is on track to replace every helmet used within the United States Armed Forces.
• Participated extensively in the product development stage of the modular helmet system by conducting end user field and safety testing.
• Two helmet concepts from the modular helmet system were bought by the Halcyon Company to be used in the filming of Terminator 4 motion picture released in May, 2009.
• Led design efforts on concepts for ground troop helmets that would become the future Special Forces helmets incorporating built in electronics and Heads Up Displays.
• Designed a helmet-mounted, rotating face shield that protects ground troops and reduces injuries from roadside blasts, the leading injury threat in Iraq.
• Led design research efforts studying aerodynamic effects caused by helmet shape and structure.
• Led design styling for safety eyewear and goggles.
• Designed a ChemBio transportation container for the U.S. Navy for safely transporting trained dolphins.
• Supported California respiratory division by collaborating in design efforts on a helmet system providing oxygen and chemical warfare safe through implementing a fully sealed system.

Developed conceptual designs for Nike office notebooks and soft goods. Designed and executed a new line of backpacks for elementary age students. Provided extensive drafting assistance creating sample products for the Nike, Five-Star, and Cambridge lines. Developed concepts for Home and Office products lines.

Developed original design concepts for high-end, innovative electronics and medical equipment clients. Participated in marketing efforts by developing design concepts for prospective clients. Redesigned company’s business card and identity. Designed products for a non disclosed government department.

Designed "GI Joe" vehicle and accessory concepts. Designed new line concepts for “Tonka” products. Involved in the decision-making process for creating new, confidential toy designs.