Northeast District Conference

		founder/creative director of Bright Idea Design Studios Inc. Omar’s abstract: Step 1: Getting off the Ground Thinking about starting your own design firm? If so, then you've probably got more than a few questions. How do I land my first client? How do I find and keep solid clients? How do I find a space? How do I fund my venture? How do I get my name out there? When am I supposed to hire more people? Partners? Taxes? Lawyers? Intellectual property? Omar Bailey started NYC-based Bright Ideas, Inc. in 2007 after having asked himself the same questions. The difference between him and you is that there were precious few individuals around to supply advice as he went through the process. The difference between you and the next guy is that you listened to Omar tell the story of his experience getting Bright Ideas off the ground. If you haven't heard of Bright Ideas yet, no worries ... this is just the beginning. And in the beginning, Omar can tell you that it's not who's heard of you ... it's about knowing which doors to knock on, where those doors are hidden and how to knock so that they'll beg you to come inside. View Full Bio >> Get More - http://www.brightideadesigninc.com
		president/founder, 5-Trees / Botsford Eco-tech Partners Krista’s abstract: Engineering and design have long been about how quickly a design or product can be brought to market with as many features as possible. Product development is beginning to steer more and more toward sustainability and “green” engineering. This presentation will cover areas of impact in overall design and some key point to be taken into consideration when addressing environmental or sustainability concerns. Some of these considerations during design include recyclability of materials/product, total cost impact of “going green”, end-of-life product impact, use of recycled or sustainability materials, energy usage, and more. This presentation is intended to give an introduction to product design sustainability and overall product eco-compliance. View Full Bio >> Get More - http://www.5-trees.com
		principal of industrial design, G2 Branding and Design Jeff’s Abstract: Industrial Designers have the unique and valuable opportunity to define own roles. What has previously been seen as a very specialized profession takes on the position that with such a broad and validated process backed by applicable skills, there are needs for Industrial Designers yet to be discovered. View Full Bio >> Get More - http://www.g2ny.com
		Industrial Designer Roland’s Workshop: Roland Brown will be unveiling some of his most powerful techniques for creating compelling imagery. We want attendees to understand various levels of design communication. We're talking sketching, sketch rendering and blowing it out all the way through presentation renderings. What makes water look like water or glass look like glass? How do you show form and indicate materials and finishes and do it quickly? You had better sign up to find out ... Here's the breakdown: Introduction + Theory (30min): Roland will begin by introducing to his work and follow up with a bit of general theory for rendering and illustration. Breakout Session (30min): Students will sketch on their own for 30 minutes Break (10min): Sketch Rendering Session (30min): Roland will pick a few student sketches at random and show you how to make your own work pop. No cookbook workshop content this year, folks. Presentation Rendering Part 1 (30min): Roland will sketch out something, maybe an interior, maybe a product ... Roland will get it laid out and set up for rendering. Break (10min): Presentation Rendering Part 2 (30min): Roland will go through, step by step, and explain what he's doing as he's doing it, and render the image to presentation quality. View Full Bio >>
		creative director of TechLab at Nike Max’s abstract: Radical Change is an environment with which Industrial Designers are most familiar. Radical Change is also an environment in which creativity flourishes. Today, Industrial design is in high demand among progressive businesses that know when to change and can do so with immense speed and efficiency. An Industrial Designer’s area of application has expanded immensely from the past. What was once simply a question of skin-deep aesthetics could now include steering product origination and the complex integration of physical product with software. With this expanded role, the skill set of the industrial designer has evolved and must be progressive to remain relevant. Nike Timing has been a successful business for Nike, utlizing the ever-changing and increasingly important role of Industrial Designers in its conception, development and plans for the future. View Full Bio >> Get More - http://www.nike.com
		senior design strategy manager, Item New Product Development Kat’s abstract: In the Spring of 2007, Item Group delivered a unique collaborative project that re-defined the critical care spaces in a hospital emergency department. The collaborative team used established industrial design research practices and an experiential; systems approach to develop conceptual illustrations and models of the Emergency Department’s resuscitation bay's space, work flow, protocol, and equipment. The project team consisted of students from Mass Art; RISD and Brown University; Doctors, Nurses, emergency workers and hospital administration staff all led by a senior management team from Item Group. The project goal was to reconfigure a complex, high tension interplay of equipment, supplies & people to deliver design-based improvements in work flow, efficiency, and patient care. The objective was to dramatically IMPROVE Emergency Medical Care delivered within the Resuscitation Bay environment. Project Lead, Kat Darula of Item Group, will demonstrate how hundreds of hours of first hand observation, focus groups and experiential work led to the development of a full scale model of Resuscitation Bay of the Future and identified clear commercial opportunities for medical device manufacturers. These high-tension emergency environments rely on a complex interplay of tools, patients, medical professionals, and information for the provision of optimal care. By embracing the very basics of Industrial Design and user-centric research, the project resulted in breakthrough findings, innovative business solutions and new recommendations for industry standards. View Full Bio >> Get More - http://www.itemnpd.com
		vice president of design research, Lextant Marty’s abstract: By now we all believe that design research is a requirement for innovation, but how can we ensure that research insights will have the power to change business thinking? I will illustrate how to transform research insights into institutional knowledge that inspires companies to pursue new thinking. Communicating insights in a way that is meaningful, actionable, descriptive and aspirational demonstrates value and illustrates a future rich with customer understanding. Design translation is the next step in design research providing alignment and inspiration. View Full Bio >> Get More - http://www.lextant.com
		Owner and VP of merchandising, dane décor Drew’s abstract: This year’s opening night reception is being held in dane decore’s beautiful retail space in downtown Philadelphia. Drew will be there to speak about his unique experience in furniture design and his additional perspective as a retailer of high design. Co-sponsored by Continuum and Item New Product Development, the event will coincide with Philly’s own First Friday Art Walk. A word from Drew: As an Industrial Designer and a Retailer, I have the privilege of being a designer, a design critic and a furniture buyer all at the same time. Since joining dane décor, our focus has been on European Contemporary Furniture Store. We have gone more upscale—in aesthetic if not in price. Every Monday morning, I sit down with a cup of coffee and review what customers have bought over the past week. I learn who our customer is and how they live. View Full Bio >> Get More - http://www.danedecor.com/
		design researcher, Motorola Sunmee’s abstract: *Design Research* Portfolio: Discussion and Review The section will be split in to two parts: Presentations: Pioneers and veterans in the field of Design Research will speak for 10-15 minutes each on the design research portfolios and presenting design research by discussing best practices, examples, etc for how to prepare and present design research work, with Q&A to follow. Review/Q&A: Speakers and other Design Research professionals will break-up into individuals or pairs to meet with attendees and review their design research work alongside the conventional Industrial Design portfolio review. View Full Bio >> Get More - http://www.motorola.com**
		Yos Kumthapinij is managing director, and Ken Zorovich is president, Propeller Inc. Ken & Yos's abstract: Yos Kumthampinij and Ken Zorovich, the founding partners of Propeller Inc. of Hoboken, NJ will take the stage together in a unique tandem presentation and share what it’s like on front lines of design. Baring it all, the duo will present their unique methodologies and philosophies on personal interaction, design, and business and how this translates into meaningful design solutions for their clients. Through anecdotes and images they will show how they have grown from humble roots making prototypes in their bathtubs, into a six-year-old firm that has collaborated with some of the greatest brands in the world. They will reveal how they merge engineering and design into one coherent art form, and how their different cultural backgrounds compliment the creative process. View Full Bio >> Get More - http://www.gopropeller.com
		studio director, product design, Fitch Joe’s abstract: Designers are like brands. Like successful brands, we must evolve to keep up with the changing business world. The demands on a designer today are more than just creative executers or CAD jockeys and require continuous education and understanding of consumer research, business models, and development processes. The experiences inside consultancies/creative agencies, corporate departments, and retail design groups though distinct, are interlinked. Leveraging your experiences and “evolving your game” will help you reach your next career level. View Full Bio >> Get More - http://www.fitch.com
		co-founder, Pensa Marco’s abstract: The Curse of Knowledge – The more you know the worse it gets. It’s a paradox. The deeper your knowledge in a field, the harder it is to innovate within that field. What comes with years of experience is the awareness of all the road blocks, constraints, and a familiarity of what has been tried over the years, as well as an ignorance of what has happened outside of your field. This curse of knowledge is why consultants become powerful allies in the development of new innovative products. When Topps’ candy division came to Pensa to reinvigorate their Push Pop brand, Topps first listed all the constraints in the candy business: the fight for linear shelf space, the need for better mechanizing displays, the increasing cost of sugar, safety issues and so forth. Rather than think about could or could not be done, Pensa looked for ideas outside the candy world. To come up with “cool” ideas and solve functional problems, Pensa drew from their experience in electronics, medical devices and housewares. Without this diverse background, it becomes hard to think of how, for example, an innovation in an insulin device can be used on a new candy. As a result Pensa generate a broad range of concepts, some of which are being considered for entirely new brands for Topps. View Full Bio >> Get More - http://www.pensanyc.com
		Conference MC Michael Preston is a graphic designer/comedian/meat-eater from the Midwest. A 2005 graduate of Western Michigan University, Mike worked in corporate branding at Interbrand in New York City for two years before relocating to Tank Design in Boston. Mike can be found pushing pixels/massaging vectors by day and screaming nonsense onstage at The Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre in NYC or ImprovBoston by night. Mike is WORLD FAMOUS, and if you don't know who he is, it's your fault, not his.
		interaction designer, eBay Ahmed’s abstract: I imagine a world of design where storytelling is considered to be as important as the visuals we create. The optimal way for creative storytelling and complex problem solving in the digital era necessitates an environment where visually and verbally communicating user experiences is a seamless and vital part of the design process. I would like to present the challenges faced in doing this and best the practices I have learned from my experiences in creating such an environment within the companies I have worked with. This section will likely include audience interactivity and collaboration. View Full Bio >> Get More - http://www.ebay.com
		manager of user-centered design, Misys Art Swanson has worked in Human Factors and Design Research for 10 years and has a particular interest and experience in balancing Human Factors/Usability with User Experience in medical product design. Art has worked for several product design firms. View Full Bio >> Get More - http://www.misys.com
		director of research, Bresslergroup Rob’s abstract: *Design Research* Portfolio: Discussion and Review The section will be split in to two parts: Presentations: Pioneers and veterans in the field of Design Research will speak for 10-15 minutes each on the design research portfolios and presenting design research by discussing best practices, examples, etc for how to prepare and present design research work, with Q&A to follow. Review/Q&A: Speakers and other Design Research professionals will break-up into individuals or pairs to meet with attendees and review their design research work alongside the conventional Industrial Design portfolio review. View Full Bio >> Get More - http://www.bresslergroup.com**
		partner, Essential Richard’s abstract: This discussion will focus around the premise that design is in fact the “easy” part of business. However, the design thinking that goes on before, during and after are the key elements that define success and ultimately ensure that design becomes an enduring part of our clients business. It is no longer about just designing the object. It is about designing the whole process, the whole product experience. The future influence of the design profession will rely on us moving beyond design and changing expectations of design’s role in driving business. We will present how to cross difficult boundaries, show creative design thinking, utilize the true power of the right side of the brain to move beyond the object and become truly invested in a bigger process. View Full Bio >> Get More - http://www.essential-design.com
		principal, Design Science Stephen’s abstract: I will discuss the design challenges presented by Cameroon, West Africa as an example of the issues raised by the 90% of the World that is generally off the designer’s radar screen. I expect to cover the following: Some statistics to show where most of the World’s population lives and how they live—e.g., average annual incomes, % electricity use, etc. Some of the needs presented by the developing world, using Cameroon as an example, liberally illustrated by photographs of cities and villages in Cameroon. Some of the sub-themes include: How they are making a transition to a money-based economy from a feudal economy, what happened in Europe during the Middle Ages. How issues that we dealt with decades or centuries ago have not yet been adequately tackled—sanitation, electrification, telephone service, water supply, medical care, transportation, etc. The opportunity for avoiding some of the mistakes that the West made in handling these issues. Some specific design problems that might be pursued. What retailing looks like in a place like Cameroon. Product requirements for the developing world. View Full Bio >> Get More - http://www.dscience.com
		creative director of industrial design at frog Design Luke’s abstract: Throughout the electronic age, people have become accustomed to interacting with digital media indirectly, mediated through screens and peripheral devices. But now, as digital technology becomes invisibly embedded in everyday things, the “feeling” of everyday things is also increasingly becoming embedded in digital technology. In many senses, physical objects are becoming more important. In an immediate way, they can help us define new systems of relationships with digital information. Luke Williams, Creative Director at frog design, examines how perceptions and gestures formed through our experiences with physical products can effectively bring liberty to the relationship between brain, body, and digital media interface. The audience will learn: how patterns and archetypes from product design now frame new ways for people to orientate themselves around information; the principle of stimulating one sense through another to create multi-sensory interactions. new developments at the collision point between "real world" objects and "digital interfaces" View Full Bio >> Get More - http://www.frogdesign.com