Doug Birkholz

Industrial design and new product development.

Hands-on designer of exercise equipment for seven different brands owned by Pivotal 5. Built relationships across disciplines and mentored staff on design process. Quickly integrated industrial design & ergonomics into the company as a strategic asset. Collaborated with the key executive team defining product features & benefits, brand identity and packaging to establish market positioning with competitive products. Developed products based on high-volume production techniques and mechanical engineering methods. Used a variety of techniques ranging from hand sketches to SolidWorks and three-dimensional printer to effectively communicate form, usability and design intent to marketing and engineering teams. Met project deadlines and organization objectives for new product development; extended the company’s product lines with tactical new items for existing distribution channels.

Designer of consumer and industrial products for a variety of manufacturing clients including hand-held garden tools and medical devices. Worked as a staff member on client design teams. Led as a facilitator for brainstorming sessions and assisted in bringing a fresh perspective on ideas. Prepared design communication materials for meetings; wrote proposals to meet objectives and budgets. Met with key component suppliers to discuss project scope and performance; participated in concept presentation and project planning meetings as well as focus groups.

Hands-on leadership of staff industrial designers, freelance industrial designers and mechanical engineers on new product development teams. Assigned projects to individuals and also worked as a team member on larger scope projects. Coached entry-level designers on visualization techniques and design exploration. Collaborated with mechanical engineers, prototypers, and human factors engineers on device design as well as the related proposal writing and scheduling of work. Consulted with electrical engineers and market researchers on projects that required outside expertise. Implemented sales and business development strategies to increase client base for Inspire. Co-founded another business to manufacture and distribute proprietary products unique in the marketplace that were designed and engineered by Inspire.

Hands-on leadership of product development team including industrial designers, industrial design interns and prototypers. Assigned individual projects to designers and prototypers; worked as a team member on larger scope projects. Acted as mentor and advisor to industrial design interns. Worked with in-house mechanical, electrical and human factors engineers on projects from Fiskars international business units.

Product designer of home audio and video components for North and South American consumer markets.

Hands-on leadership of design team including industrial designers and prototypers. Collaborated with international business unit product managers on new product development. Worked with R&D staff engineers to plan projects and carry them through from concept to production.

Hands-on designer of tactical products such as scissors and lawn & garden tools. Participated with upper management to envision strategic products for future growth and business expansion of Fiskars global brands. Worked with prototyping vendors on fabricating appearance models.

Summer intern project was a cash register for the bar and high end restaurant environment. The project was featured in a two page spread in ID magazine.