Alan Bengtson, Owner/Principle Designer in Winston-Salem, NC

About

Innovation-centric industrial design expert with broad experience in consumer, commercial and industrial markets including children’s products, housewares, power tools, medical equipment and a multitude of additional industries. High intellectual property creation record with more than 70 utility and design patents received. Recipient of multiple design and industry awards including Consumer Reports #1 ratings. Skilled at developing break-through solutions that enhance brand portfolios through visual brand language, product strategy and brand differentiation. Strength in delivering product solutions from concept through to production while maintaining design intent. Significant experience working remotely with international development teams from Asia, Europe, Scandinavia, South America and various regions of the U.S.

Education

BFA w/ Honors Industrial Design

University of Illinois U-C

1982 - 1986

Summer Study Abroad Trip (6 weeks) to Western Europe (Germany, Austria, Italy & Switzerland) Competed on U of I Cross Country and Track Team IDSA Student Merit Award Winner

Experience

Owner/Principle Designer

Objekt Produktion, LLC

Winston-Salem, NC

2013 - Present (11 years)

Owner and principle industrial designer of a firm specializing in industrial design consulting, product design development, and limited production of consumer products.
Lead Industrial Designer/Project Manager

Whirlpool Corporation, Global Consumer Design

Benton Harbor, MI

2002 - 2013 (11 years)

Creative lead and project manager of multi-million dollar cooking and refrigeration appliance projects for the KitchenAid brand studio and product category studios. Extensive experience with strategic design initiatives such as visual brand language (VBL) development, advanced innovation programs and long-range product planning efforts. Managed the design implementation of the cooking category products for the highly successful KitchenAid Architect II kitchen appliance suite launched in 2006-2009 and Commercial Series ranges in 2010. Extensive travels abroad working with international multidisciplinary development teams and suppliers in China, Europe, Scandinavia and South America.
Experience includes innovation concept development, consumer trend and usability research, project management and scheduling, strategic planning, CAD development and documentation, Interaction design, product graphics, and experience with a wide range of materials and manufacturing processes. Management of cross-branded ID project teams on multi-million dollar programs.
Projects have included multiple suite-oriented lines of cooking & refrigeration products, including microwave ovens, built-in ovens, ranges, cooktops, warming drawers, refrigerators and countertop appliances. Significant experience with user interfaces for these products, utilizing LCD, LED and VFD display technologies along with capacitive touch and traditional membrane switch keypads.
Freelance Designer

Product Development Technologies

Lincolnshire, IL

2001 - 2002 (1 year)

Conceptual development of a variety of consulting projects with PDT staff for a variety of clients in consumer electronics, lawn and garden products.
Senior Industrial Designer/Project Manager

Stevens Brooks Design Associates

Grafton, WI

1995 - 2001 (6 years)

Creative lead and project manager of consulting projects from concept into engineering for various clients and industries. Multiple levels of involvement from quick conceptual development through turnkey design and engineering programs.
Experience includes project management, proposal writing, project scheduling, consumer trend and usability research, focus testing, project team management, concept development, model making, human factors testing, CAD development and documentation, product graphic design, and experience with a wide range of materials and manufacturing processes.
Projects have included juvenile products, kitchen appliances, medical products, consumer electronics, office products, recreational products, power tools, lawn and garden products, construction equipment, industrial controls and furniture.
Senior Product Designer

Fisher-Price, Inc. – Juvenile Products Division

East Aurora, NY

Jan 1994 - Oct 1995 (1 year 9 months)

Full project responsibility from concept through production in the design of juvenile furniture and accessories for the U.S., Europe, and Japan. Interface with marketing, engineering, manufacturing, vendors, consultants, and president of company.
Experience includes concept development, form and surface development, model making, human factors testing, consumer research and focus testing, CAD development, computer based graphic design and experience with a wide range of materials and manufacturing processes.
Projects have included a range of multi-featured highchairs, portable clip-on highchairs, travel play cribs and advanced development projects.
Industrial Designer I & II

Kohler Company

Kohler, WI

Nov 1986 - Jan 1994 (7 years 2 months)

Full project responsibility from concept through production in the design of consumer plumbing products for the U.S., Europe, and Japan. Interface with marketing, engineering manufacturing, vendors, consultants, and C.E.O. of company.
Projects have included an electronic shower tower, hand shower and showerhead program, a variety of whirlpool bath and shower units, bathroom and kitchen faucetry, and advanced development projects.

Awards

Design Awards & Achievements

2011 Appliance Design Magazine “Excellence in Design” Awards

Silver Award - Kitchen/Appliance Category – KitchenAid Commercial Series Dual Fuel Range. Project ID lead designer for this product.

2011 Consumers Union #1 Appiance Category Ratings – KitchenAid Commercial Series Dual Fuel Range & Architect II Double Oven Range - Project ID lead designer for this product.

2009 Appliance Design Magazine “Excellence in Design” Awards

Bronze Award - Kitchen/Appliance Category – KitchenAid Architect II Flush Gas Cooktop. Project ID lead designer for this product.

2008 Appliance Design Magazine “Excellence in Design” Awards

Gold Award - Kitchen/Appliance Category – KitchenAid Architect II Built-in Steam Oven. Project ID lead designer for this product.

2007 Building Products Magazine – Annual “MVP” Awards

Kitchen/Appliance Category – KitchenAid Architect II Steam-assist Oven Line. Project ID lead designer for this product.

2007 Appliance Design Magazine “Excellence in Design” Awards

Silver Award - Kitchen/Appliance Category – KitchenAid Architect II Microwave Hood Combo Oven. Project ID lead designer for this product.

2006 Chicago Design Athenaeum “Good Design” Awards

Kitchen/Appliance Category – KitchenAid Architect II Microwave Hood Combo Oven. Project ID lead designer for this product.

1998 IDSA “IDEA” Awards

Bronze Award – “Amuse & Cruise” Activity Center for Gerry Baby Products (now Evenflo Corp.). Project manager and lead designer for this product.

1993 NeoCon Spec Awards

Honorable Mention – Kitchen and Bath Fixtures category for the Master Shower Tower.

1992 Midwest Design Awards

First Prize – Decorative Arts category for the Master Shower Tower. Judges included renowned architect, Stanley Tigerman.

1986 Krups Design Award

Second Prize ($7,000) for hand operated can opener. Prestigious national competition. Nationally recognized judges, Published in ID Magazine.

IDSA Student Merit Award

University of Illinois recipient, 1986.

Patents

Utility – 12, Design – 62

Affiliations

IDSA

Skills

On Coroflot

@adben1, member since 2007

Following 14
Followers 3

Alan Bengtson

Associate Gear Designer

Letter and Script Engraver (Banknote) Apprentice