Rico Ruffino

• Assistant Professor of the Practice of Industrial & Product Design, Department of Forest Biomaterials.
• Industrial and product design in the area of design thinking, development, and prototyping with a concentration in sustainability
• Developed and Instructor for Principles of Sustainable Industrial & Product Design Lecture & Studio, Visual Design Application, and Sustainable Industrial & Product Design Capstone.
• Designed and lead PI for Sustainable Materials Technology Design Lab within Hodges Wood Products Facility.
• Create and lead PI for S.D. Lab testing and service center.

• Design and develop sustainable products for a range of applications:
Eco Chair - Sustainable Upholstered Chair - Designed for the SFC
Circular Confectionery Container - Sustainable Packaging Design - Designed for Batter Up
Eco Safety Glass Dispenser - Lab Safety Container - Designed for NCSU Chemistry Department

• Manage design projects from research and inception to design and production.
• Design and develop safety equipment for marine and aviation applications, including:
Hose Retention Clip ~ Universal Cutaway Post ~ Emergency Escape Hatch
Quick Release Safety Hinges ~ NVG Universal Mounting Plates
Ear Cup Mounts ~ Maxillo Face Shield Hinge ~ Ambient Air Valve
~ Respirator Microphone Mount
• Evaluate and collaborated designs according to customer and company guidelines.
• Create and maintain product documentation.
• Maintain current industry knowledge of trends and new
technology to stay on the emerging edge of design.

• Lead the data collection and evaluation efforts regarding
district retreat, warehouse data, school district
comparisons, and generating reports for stakeholders
• In charge of numerous community outreach initiatives
• Periodically review internal codes of conduct and
emergency response plans and update as needed
• Oversee disciplinary and tardiness policies
• Supervise student graduation requirements and progress
• Orchestrate student clubs and district panels

• Currently teach various courses related to design, business, and technology, including:
Studio and Product Design, Design and Drawing for Production, Principles of Engineering, Production Systems, Robotics, Wood Lab Technologies, Careers & Finances, Technology Skills, Digital Photography

• Oversaw human resource functions, including hiring and evaluations.
• Designed and implemented a new interviewing process,
which improved offer acceptance and retention rates.
• Collected and analyzed data to create schedules and in budget decisions.
• Launched a new curriculum mapping and data analysis
training to promote emerging instructional design principles.
• Managed the accreditation curriculum and instruction
• Orchestrated the organization of the Technology Committee.
• Part of a special task force created to evaluate and transform the school’s Vision and Mission Statements.