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Design Consultant
Studio 273
Atlanta, GA
Dec 2010 - Present (13 years 11 months)
Design consultant for entrepreneurial and large, established furniture companies specializing in outsourced manufacturing. Provided detailed designs through consumer market trends for specific big box retailers in the US.
Research market and consumer trends to establish needs and opportunities.
Initiate designs with emphasis on cost, manufacturability and validity.
Provide color, material and finish recommendations based on capabilities.
Collaborate with external engineering and design teams for value analysis.
Provide presentation materials and storyboards for marketing and sales.
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Senior Designer
True Innovations
Irvine, CA
Nov 2006 - Oct 2010 (3 years 11 months)
Senior designer leading design and development of home and office furniture and seating for mass markets with a new division. Primary duties ranged from inception of design through production, including control of documentation, refinement of ideas and purpose for market.
Maintained fluid integration with Chinese operations and manufacturing
Created over 60% of the division’s produced furniture designs
Consumer focused design process grew division annual sales by $15M
Developed patent-pending fastening system to ease assembly, reduce cube
Led team in research, consumer trends, style, and marketable designs
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Industrial Designer
Tolleson Design, Inc.
Charlotte, NC
Jan 2004 - Jul 2006 (2 years 6 months)
Industrial designer with a small, award-winning design firm specializing in contract furniture, home furnishings, and product development.
Initiated products from inception to production, including proof of concept
Detailed mechanical and engineering refinement of products and concepts
Engaged clients with marketable opportunities and products
Proven ergonomic, function, and manufacture research for clients’ strengths
Maintained difficult deadlines and time management for multi-project load
Notable recognition:
Best of NEOCON 2006 contestant, Jofco InForm Conferencing System.
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Industrial Designer
Grand Haven, MI
Jul 2001 - Dec 2003 (2 years 5 months)
Harbor Industries – 2001 -2003
Designer
Staff designer position with an industry-leading retail fixture company. Ideas and concepts initiated through sketches and developed through 3D CAD renderings. Cost effective solutions demanded with a value-oriented result. Manufacturing methods implemented in wood, plastics, and metal, manufactured in-house.
Accountable for the design of numerous displays with multiple clients simultaneously.
Emphasis on aesthetic, functional efficiency, developing clients' brand and marketing strategy through design, trends, and product placement.
Assures quality of design and compliance with budget and timing goals.
Manage projects from concept through prototype to maintain integrity and feasibility.
Integrate with multi-disciplinary groups to attain best practice solutions.
Work directly with clients to maintain relationships and concise goals.