The Variable Design Podcast

This is the first of many episodes where we dive into addressing the top 10 questions young industrial designers face. What skills are most important for a successful career in industrial design?Students are keen to understand which technical skills (such as sketching, CAD software proficiency, and model-making) and soft skills (like communication, teamwork, and creative thinking) are crucial in the industry.How do I build a strong portfolio?Guidance on what constitutes a compelling portfolio, how to showcase different projects, and what employers look for in a portfolio are common concerns.What are the typical career paths in industrial design?Information on the various roles an industrial designer can pursue, such as product design, user experience design, automotive design, and furniture design, and the progression paths in these areas.How can I gain real-world experience while still in school?Advice on securing internships, freelance projects, or participating in design competitions to build practical experience and a professional network.What is the job market like for industrial designers?Questions about employment prospects, industry demand, and geographic hotspots for industrial design jobs are common.How do industrial designers stay current with industry trends?Strategies for keeping up with design trends, technological advancements, and materials innovations to remain relevant in the field.What role does sustainability play in industrial design today?Understanding how sustainability is influencing product design and what designers can do to create eco-friendly and sustainable products.How can I develop my own style or design philosophy?Guidance on how to cultivate a unique design voice that stands out while meeting the needs of clients and consumers.What are the challenges of working with clients and managing projects?Insights into client relations, project management, and navigating creative differences or budget constraints in professional settings.How does industrial design intersect with other disciplines?Curiosity about how industrial design collaborates with fields like engineering, marketing, and psychology to create holistic product experiences.LINKS:Follow The Variable on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheVariableDesignSupport The Variablewww.patreon.com/thevariabledesignWEBSITE: www.thevariable.designUPCOMING EVENTS: https://www.thevariable.design/qnaNOMINATE STUDENTS FOR SPOTLIGHT: https://www.thevariable.design/spotlightBLOG: https://www.thevariable.design/podcast_____________________________________________DISCORD ►► https://discord.gg/vpypTgPEvYTWITTER ►► https://twitter.com/thevariable_IDFACEBOOK ►► https://www.facebook.com/thevariable.design/INSTAGRAM ►► https://www.instagram.com/thevariable.design/LINKEDIN ►► https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-variable-designSupport the show

There's a sea of industrial designers out there, how can you stand out? Everyone is trying to stand out... but how can you actually do it?Skill StackingWe talk about the ins  and outs of skill stacking with the help of Sushant Vohra. You can read his LinkedIn post on the topic here.We also address the question "should I show it all?" when it comes to your portfolio. Are you interested in a fix the 'folio program? Be sure to reach out to us at info@thevariable.design to let us know your thoughts! LINKS:Follow The Variable on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheVariableDesignSupport The Variablewww.patreon.com/thevariabledesignWEBSITE: www.thevariable.designUPCOMING EVENTS: https://www.thevariable.design/qnaNOMINATE STUDENTS FOR SPOTLIGHT: https://www.thevariable.design/spotlightBLOG: https://www.thevariable.design/podcast_____________________________________________DISCORD ►► https://discord.gg/vpypTgPEvYTWITTER ►► https://twitter.com/thevariable_IDFACEBOOK ►► https://www.facebook.com/thevariable.design/INSTAGRAM ►► https://www.instagram.com/thevariable.design/LINKEDIN ►► https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-variable-designSupport the show

I used to enjoy my job, and now it's terrible. I aspire to be a great industrial designer, but I feel like I'm pigeon holed in my current role. I'm not growing as a creative. I feel stuck but I don't know how to get out of my rut. Sound familiar? Well.... there's good and bad news. Bad news is, you're the problem. Good news- you're also the solution. That's right, when it comes to getting where you want to go in your creative career, there's only one person behind the wheel YOU. In this episode we talk about specific steps we've taken to get out of a rut and see positive progress in our career development and share advice on what you can do to get the momentum you're looking for. LINKS:Follow The Variable on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheVariableDesignSupport The Variablewww.patreon.com/thevariabledesignWEBSITE: www.thevariable.designUPCOMING EVENTS: https://www.thevariable.design/qnaNOMINATE STUDENTS FOR SPOTLIGHT: https://www.thevariable.design/spotlightBLOG: https://www.thevariable.design/podcast_____________________________________________DISCORD ►► https://discord.gg/vpypTgPEvYTWITTER ►► https://twitter.com/thevariable_IDFACEBOOK ►► https://www.facebook.com/thevariable.design/INSTAGRAM ►► https://www.instagram.com/thevariable.design/LINKEDIN ►► https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-variable-designSupport the show

You won't always be able to give something 100%... heck sometimes 50% is all you've got.  What do you do when you want to hit a home run, but you feel like you've struck out? In this episode we breakdown strategies for handling these kinds of situations with professionalism and share a few takeaways that will help you make those lemons into lemonade. LINKS:Follow The Variable on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheVariableDesignSupport The Variablewww.patreon.com/thevariabledesignWEBSITE: www.thevariable.designUPCOMING EVENTS: https://www.thevariable.design/qnaNOMINATE STUDENTS FOR SPOTLIGHT: https://www.thevariable.design/spotlightBLOG: https://www.thevariable.design/podcast_____________________________________________DISCORD ►► https://discord.gg/vpypTgPEvYTWITTER ►► https://twitter.com/thevariable_IDFACEBOOK ►► https://www.facebook.com/thevariable.design/INSTAGRAM ►► https://www.instagram.com/thevariable.design/LINKEDIN ►► https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-variable-designSupport the show

In this episode we jump on a call with Jack Marple, the Associate Director of Industrial Design at Enlisted in Salt Lake City Utah to discuss design education and the top things that keep young (and old) designers from having job-winning presentation in their portfolios. We discuss eye-opening realizations we've had as educators and best practices on how to not only be able to identify good design, but apply it to your work. LINKS:Follow The Variable on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheVariableDesignSupport The Variablewww.patreon.com/thevariabledesignWEBSITE: www.thevariable.designUPCOMING EVENTS: https://www.thevariable.design/qnaNOMINATE STUDENTS FOR SPOTLIGHT: https://www.thevariable.design/spotlightBLOG: https://www.thevariable.design/podcast_____________________________________________DISCORD ►► https://discord.gg/vpypTgPEvYTWITTER ►► https://twitter.com/thevariable_IDFACEBOOK ►► https://www.facebook.com/thevariable.design/INSTAGRAM ►► https://www.instagram.com/thevariable.design/LINKEDIN ►► https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-variable-designSupport the showSupport the show

In this episode of The Variable Design Podcast we dive in and discuss Sushant Vohra's LinkedIn post: If you are a design student in 2023 don't fall for these 12 traps ↘1) Being first in your class and thinking that design life is gonna be easy.2) Copy pasting ChatGPT responses to comment on a post just for 'networking' sake.3) Having those slider scales for each software in your CV (seriously drop it).4) Writing a wall of text in a cold email to a potential employer.5) Only having college/academic projects in your portfolio.6) Having no internships because you want to work on your thesis, or because you didn't get your dream studio.7) Not putting yourself out there for the fear of being judged.8) Strong arming your peers who might eventually be in a far better place than you.9) Only looking at design in your own country. (Yes, even if you are in a western country)10) Not having a website or a landing page as a student.11) Not having opinions or curiosity around things because you don't have domain authority.12) Blaming your professors (feedback) for how a project turned outNot only should we avoid these pitfalls, but we have to be able to be a good person and work well with team members... even if they give us feedback we don't really like. How can you leverage interpersonal skills to come out on top? We discuss this and more with Andre Cotan. LINKS:Support The Variablewww.patreon.com/thevariabledesignWEBSITE: www.thevariable.designUPCOMING EVENTS: https://www.thevariable.design/qnaNOMINATE STUDENTS FOR SPOTLIGHT: https://www.thevariable.design/spotlightBLOG: https://www.thevariable.design/podcast_____________________________________________DISCORD ►► https://discord.gg/vpypTgPEvYTWITTER ►► https://twitter.com/thevariable_IDFACEBOOK ►► https://www.facebook.com/thevariable.design/INSTAGRAM ►► https://www.instagram.com/thevariable.design/LINKEDIN ►► https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-variable-designSupport the show

Steve Cozzolino, an award winning and distinguished industrial designer with over 25 years of consulting experience, earned a BFA in Industrial Design from the University of Notre Dame in 1993.  Early in his career, Steve collaborated with Eva Zeisel and was Design Director at Karim Rashid Inc. from 2002-2006.  In 2006, Steve launched Cozzolino studio LLC. Steve has received multiple "Red Dot" Design Awards, the industry's highest standard of excellence, has been featured in The New York Times and was honored by the City of New York with a 2011 "Excellence in Design" Award. He's repeatedly won "Good Design" Awards, Housewares Design Awards, ID Magazine's "Design Distinction", and has received numerous design patents.  Recently, Cozzolino studio has worked with the New York City Department of Parks & Recreation, Grand Central Partnership, Rockefeller Center, New York Aquarium, and The Statue of Liberty-Ellis Island Foundation, Inc.LINKS:Support The Variablewww.patreon.com/thevariabledesignSupport the show

About Joey:Prior to starting his own practice, Joey led design teams over the past 15 years while working for companies like Clarks, Continuum, Smart Design, Steelcase, and HP. His design work has been recognized with over 40 awards and featured in Design Milk, Dezeen, Fast Company, Interior Design, New York Times, TASCHEN and Wired. Joey graduated from Rochester Institute of Technology with a BFA in Industrial Design. Topics we cover in this episode:Be open to new paths: In design school, from shoe obsessed to story obsessed.Ugly design on purpose: In my first design job, I had to design ugly shoes for frumpy dads and learned early on that good design is not universal. Pivot and expand: How and why I transitioned to design consulting.Go on adventures / don't make decisions based on fear: 1 year Sabbatical in Costa rica in the middle of the great recession.Go beyond things: Working at Smart Design really solidified my approach to storytelling and contextualizing tangible things.Design at different scales: Growing pains from the transition between small scale to large scale objects (Ford and Steelcase)Work in different cultures: Experience working at HP in Barcelona.Invest in yourself (and your side projects): Touchy/Feely, Coat Check Chair etc.Celebrate how far you've comeSupport The Variablewww.patreon.com/thevariabledesignWEBSITE: www.thevariable.designUPCOMING EVENTS: https://www.thevariable.design/qnaNOMINATE STUDENTS FOR SPOTLIGHT: https://www.thevariable.design/spotlightBLOG: https://www.thevariable.design/podcastSupport the show

Recognized as 1 of the 50 most notable designers over the last 50 years, Brian Roderman is the President and Co-Owner of IN2 Innovation, an experience innovation design agency that provides a global range of services from inspiration to integration. IN2 Innovation currently has offices located in Dallas, Austin, and Atlanta.Brian has worked in the design consultancy business for over 30 years and is frequently a featured speaker on design and innovation at events and symposiums worldwide. He has extensive design experience in consumer electronics, consumer products, housewares, transportation, telecommunications, and business-to-business industries for clients such as TopGolf, Frigidaire, Interstate Batteries, Newell Brands, Marriott, and many others.He is active with the Industrial Design Society of America (IDSA), having held six terms on the IDSA National Board of Directors. He was recently awarded a Fellowship within the society along with the top notable designer's recognition honor.Brian's Power statements on Experience Design: UX design is more than just digital design.The experience revolution has begun, and we are in for a 30 year run.A True User Experience occurs when human senses are engaged (the more the better) and emotional responses are transmitted. A brand can intersect with the True User Experience through combined products and services in digital and physical means. We have long tried to adapt to technology, now we are asking technology to adapt to us.Experience design brings the human back into the center of the focus. We need designers who can create a balanced world of experiences.  We need holistic experience designers.Join our weekly discussions on Clubhouse:https://www.clubhouse.com/club/the-variableOther (non-recorded) Clubhouse events hosted by Justin Adleffhttps://www.clubhouse.com/club/objects-experiences?utm_source=clubhouse&utm_medium=share_club&utm_campaign=hAr6ifilAK2P84UTJTMbmw-27939LINKS:Support The Variablewww.patreon.com/thevariabledesignWEBSITE: www.thevariable.designUPCOMING EVENTS: https://www.thevariable.design/qnaNOMINATE STUDENTS FOR SPOTLIGHT: https://www.thevariable.design/spotlightBLOG: https://www.thevariable.design/podcast_____________________________________________DISCORD ►► https://discord.gg/vpypTgPEvYTWITTER ►► https://twitter.com/thevariable_IDFACEBOOK ►► https://www.facebook.com/thevariable.design/INSTAGRAM ►► https://www.instagram.com/thevariable.design/LINKEDIN ►► https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-variable-designSupport the show

There are a number of ways that we as creatives can inadvertently keep ourselves away from progress. In this episode we talk about common ways we shoot ourselves in the foot as industrial designers, how to avoid them, and what to do to find balance and improve in our craft. This episode was a recorded clubhouse session that took place on May 12,2022Join our weekly discussions on Clubhouse:https://www.clubhouse.com/club/the-variableOther (non-recorded) Clubhouse events hosted by Justin Adleffhttps://www.clubhouse.com/club/objects-experiences?utm_source=clubhouse&utm_medium=share_club&utm_campaign=hAr6ifilAK2P84UTJTMbmw-27939LINKS:Support The Variablewww.patreon.com/thevariabledesignWEBSITE: www.thevariable.designUPCOMING EVENTS: https://www.thevariable.design/qnaNOMINATE STUDENTS FOR SPOTLIGHT: https://www.thevariable.design/spotlightBLOG: https://www.thevariable.design/podcast_____________________________________________DISCORD ►► https://discord.gg/vpypTgPEvYTWITTER ►► https://twitter.com/thevariable_IDFACEBOOK ►► https://www.facebook.com/thevariable.design/INSTAGRAM ►► https://www.instagram.com/thevariable.design/LINKEDIN ►► https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-variable-designSupport the show

Questions we cover in this episode1- Industrial Designers do human factors testing and ethnographic research to drive all their decisions.When is it appropriate to let intuition trump validation? Is validation always necessary? We always hear about how prospective employers are looking for “good decision making skills” in student portfolios. What the heck does that even mean and how the heck do we show that we're good at making decisions in our design work? Is that just subjective or can we establish some ground rules? 2- Industrial Designers are expected to perform life cycle analysis on products under development. How do we balance sustainability and time constraints for production? Especially consumer electronics product dev, it's like a flash in the fire. So LSA is usually glazed over, especially with smaller startups that aren't held to the same scrutiny as big corporations. 3- A design  grounded in research findings is the best solution that should always be pursued. In the long run, is it more helpful for one's career growth to make a habit of presenting very solid, research based (or very intuitively grounded) solutions or do we think that being a designer that regularly pushes the envelope by presenting ideas waaay out in left field that you'll see quicker gains in notoriety and skill? 4- Industrial Designers regularly are carving foam in the shop to create mockups. 5- Industrial Designers who sketch well are better at communicating ideas.  6- Working at a design consultancy right after graduation is the best way to polish a wide variety of skills. 7- Working for a name brand company developing their own products means you'll design only one thing and your creative diversity is limited. 8- The best way to move up the career ladder is to spend a good amount of time in one place to specialize. TS- Unfortunately no. Most designers will find that the only way to move up is to get out.  My experience has been that in spades.9- You studied ID, but will likely spend most of your time creating graphics for presentations and marketing collateral to promote products. About Tony Shoemaker:Tony has been in various roles, across the country, in the ID industry for over 25 years.  He came to Milwaukee Tool after 10 years with Sears, working for over 8 years in the Kenmore Brand unit, and 1 ½ years in the Craftsman team.  Prior to Sears, Tony worked in consultancies such as Bally Design in Pittsburgh, and Ignition in Dallas.  His experience includes medical design, toys, communications equipment, consumer electronics, housewares, packaging, graphic design, retail, and exhibit design. Once described by a mentor as a “thoroughbred” designer, Tony has always sought to absorb as much information from the world as he can. He seeks odd knowledge and the synergy between its crossings to create those “ah-ha!” moments key to the design process. Just as comfortable in a pile of parts and shop dust as at his desk sketching fervently, Tony is a self-described “mad designer,” a hybrid of a Mythbuster and a Concept Artist. His real energy comes out when recognizing the human link to a concept's genesis. He strives for those moments that are genuinely transformative to his work.LINKS:Support The Variablewww.patreon.com/thevariabledesignWEBSITE: www.thevariable.designUPCOMING EVENTS: https://www.thevariable.design/qnaNOMINATE STUDENTS FOR SPOTLIGHT: https://www.thevariable.design/spotlightBLOG: https://www.thevariable.design/podcastSupport the show (https://www.patreon.com/thevariabledesign)

If you've been in the field of Industrial Design or you're just about to enter the field, then you've probably already noticed that there is a very traditional expectation you must meet. In MANY aspects.- How you present.- How you draw.- How you act or express your opinion.- How you 'live and breathe design'When you don't fit this mold:- It's frustrating to experience AND to watch happen to someone else.- It's already a competitive field, and this just adds to the mental load.- It has a dramatic effect on your perceived value to the industry.In this episode we share our  thoughts and experiences on this matter.The Variable is a top 10 Industrial Design Podcast! Special thanks to feedspot for this publication featuring The Variable Design Podcast. https://blog.feedspot.com/industrial_design_podcasts/Join the discussion on Clubhouse:https://www.clubhouse.com/club/the-variableOther (non-recorded) Clubhouse events hosted by Justin Adleffhttps://www.clubhouse.com/club/objects-experiences?utm_source=clubhouse&utm_medium=share_club&utm_campaign=hAr6ifilAK2P84UTJTMbmw-27939LINKS:Support The Variablewww.patreon.com/thevariabledesignWEBSITE: www.thevariable.designUPCOMING EVENTS: https://www.thevariable.design/qnaNOMINATE STUDENTS FOR SPOTLIGHT: https://www.thevariable.design/spotlightBLOG: https://www.thevariable.design/podcast_____________________________________________DISCORD ►► https://discord.gg/vpypTgPEvYTWITTER ►► https://twitter.com/thevariable_IDFACEBOOK ►► https://www.facebook.com/thevariable.design/INSTAGRAM ►► https://www.instagram.com/thevariable.design/LINKEDIN ►► https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-variable-designSupport the show (https://www.patreon.com/thevariabledesign)

As a designer how do you find the balance? Should we expect to always be grinding into the late hours of the night working on designs? Or should there be a clear separation of work and personal life? In this episode we talk about the realities of design work, how we can be authentic to ourselves, and how to find balance and leverage all the seasons of career development to our advantage. Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/thevariabledesign)

Dave Joseph is the founder of Ovie Smartware and Camp design. It's his mission to make meaningful products that impact people's lives. His design philosophy is to reach for the fusion point between aesthetics, brand, and function. The harmony between these elements turns a product into a treasured object in a person's life. People can support Dave and his ventures by visiting/following his various channels. https://www.instagram.com/fridgesmarter/www.ovie.lifeJoin the discussion on Clubhouse:https://www.clubhouse.com/club/the-variableOther (non-recorded) Clubhouse events hosted by Justin Adleffhttps://www.clubhouse.com/club/objects-experiences?utm_source=clubhouse&utm_medium=share_club&utm_campaign=hAr6ifilAK2P84UTJTMbmw-27939LINKS:Support The Variablewww.patreon.com/thevariabledesignWEBSITE: www.thevariable.designUPCOMING EVENTS: https://www.thevariable.design/qnaNOMINATE STUDENTS FOR SPOTLIGHT: https://www.thevariable.design/spotlightBLOG: https://www.thevariable.design/podcast_____________________________________________DISCORD ►► https://discord.gg/vpypTgPEvYTWITTER ►► https://twitter.com/thevariable_IDFACEBOOK ►► https://www.facebook.com/thevariable.design/INSTAGRAM ►► https://www.instagram.com/thevariable.design/LINKEDIN ►► https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-variable-design_____________________________________________OTHER VIDEOS How to win jobs you've never done before: https://youtu.be/bOsE7ZaZTEoStop 3D printing Crap: https://youtu.be/wpCdp0Ny0ys5 tips for a better portfolio: https://youtu.be/je94gIJQuMcKickstarter sucks? https://youtu.be/QQAJER0sGNcSupport the show (https://www.patreon.com/thevariabledesign)

Stephen Wurth jumps in the deep end and shares the power of design thinking within a corporate environment. Join the discussion on Clubhouse:https://www.clubhouse.com/club/the-variableOther (non-recorded) Clubhouse events hosted by Justin Adleffhttps://www.clubhouse.com/club/objects-experiences?utm_source=clubhouse&utm_medium=share_club&utm_campaign=hAr6ifilAK2P84UTJTMbmw-27939LINKS:Support The Variablewww.patreon.com/thevariabledesignWEBSITE: www.thevariable.designUPCOMING EVENTS: https://www.thevariable.design/qnaNOMINATE STUDENTS FOR SPOTLIGHT: https://www.thevariable.design/spotlightBLOG: https://www.thevariable.design/podcast_____________________________________________DISCORD ►► https://discord.gg/vpypTgPEvYTWITTER ►► https://twitter.com/thevariable_IDFACEBOOK ►► https://www.facebook.com/thevariable.design/INSTAGRAM ►► https://www.instagram.com/thevariable.design/LINKEDIN ►► https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-variable-design_____________________________________________OTHER VIDEOS How to win jobs you've never done before: https://youtu.be/bOsE7ZaZTEoStop 3D printing Crap: https://youtu.be/wpCdp0Ny0ys5 tips for a better portfolio: https://youtu.be/je94gIJQuMcKickstarter sucks? https://youtu.be/QQAJER0sGNcSupport the show (https://www.patreon.com/thevariabledesign)

Watch the Original YouTube broadcast: https://youtu.be/y8KCHmiDBzURead the article mentioned in our food for thought segment https://vanschneider.com/blog/portfolio-tips/the-old-case-study-is-not-working/Other (non-recorded) Clubhouse events hosted by Justin Adleffhttps://www.clubhouse.com/club/objects-experiences?utm_source=clubhouse&utm_medium=share_club&utm_campaign=hAr6ifilAK2P84UTJTMbmw-27939LINKS:Support The Variablewww.patreon.com/thevariabledesignWEBSITE: www.thevariable.designUPCOMING EVENTS: https://www.thevariable.design/qnaNOMINATE STUDENTS FOR SPOTLIGHT: https://www.thevariable.design/spotlightBLOG: https://www.thevariable.design/podcast_____________________________________________DISCORD ►► https://discord.gg/vpypTgPEvYTWITTER ►► https://twitter.com/thevariable_IDFACEBOOK ►► https://www.facebook.com/thevariable.design/INSTAGRAM ►► https://www.instagram.com/thevariable.design/LINKEDIN ►► https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-variable-design_____________________________________________OTHER VIDEOS How to win jobs you've never done before: https://youtu.be/bOsE7ZaZTEoStop 3D printing Crap: https://youtu.be/wpCdp0Ny0ys5 tips for a better portfolio: https://youtu.be/je94gIJQuMcKickstarter sucks? https://youtu.be/QQAJER0sGNcSupport the show (https://www.patreon.com/thevariabledesign)

A degree in industrial design gives you many career options. One of the paths we don't mention often- but is in high demand- is retail and environment design. As designers, we have the power to influence shoppers, drive sales, and solve unique problems for retailers through innovation and design thinking. Neon Carrot is a design studio full of creative thinkers who are professional problem solvers. We are passionate about the world around us. We are enthusiastic learners and encourage each team member to pursue and share new experiences. We believe that continuously learning from the people and the world around us helps us to offer unique perspectives and creative solutions to complex human-centered challenges. Our focus is helping retailers and product brands connect with guests. Insights, strategy and design...we work to help clients solve problems and achieve their goals.Chris is an innovative and creative design professional with 23+ years design and management experience who applies the latest professional design thinking to business opportunities and challenges. He posses extensive business knowledge and experience in the research, concept, development and implementation of processes leading to new and enhanced consumer products and retail marketing solutions. Chris leads diverse teams to accomplish business goals.Join the discussion on Clubhouse:https://www.clubhouse.com/club/the-variableOther (non-recorded) Clubhouse events hosted by Justin Adleffhttps://www.clubhouse.com/club/objects-experiences?utm_source=clubhouse&utm_medium=share_club&utm_campaign=hAr6ifilAK2P84UTJTMbmw-27939LINKS:Support The Variablewww.patreon.com/thevariabledesignWEBSITE: www.thevariable.designUPCOMING EVENTS: https://www.thevariable.design/qnaNOMINATE STUDENTS FOR SPOTLIGHT: https://www.thevariable.design/spotlightBLOG: https://www.thevariable.design/podcast_____________________________________________DISCORD ►► https://discord.gg/vpypTgPEvYTWITTER ►► https://twitter.com/thevariable_IDFACEBOOK ►► https://www.facebook.com/thevariable.design/INSTAGRAM ►► https://www.instagram.com/thevariable.design/LINKEDIN ►► https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-variable-design_____________________________________________OTHER VIDEOS How to win jobs you've never done before: https://youtu.be/bOsE7ZaZTEoStop 3D printing Crap: https://youtu.be/wpCdp0Ny0ys5 tips for a better portfolio: https://youtu.be/je94gIJQuMcKickstarter sucks? https://youtu.be/QQAJER0sGNcSupport the show (https://www.patreon.com/thevariabledesign)

The best designers are able not only to create noteworthy concepts, but present it in a compelling way that tells a memorable story. That's why we reached out to James Adams and Thomas Manning, the leadership team at Epic Light Media, to help lead our Design Breakroom discussion on storytelling. This event was hosted on Clubhouse and broadcast live on YouTube. The Variable on Clubhousehttps://www.clubhouse.com/club/the-variableLINKS:Support The Variablewww.patreon.com/thevariabledesignWEBSITE: www.thevariable.designUPCOMING EVENTS: https://www.thevariable.design/eventsNOMINATE STUDENTS FOR SPOTLIGHT: https://www.thevariable.design/spotlightBLOG: https://www.thevariable.design/podcast_____________________________________________DISCORD ►► https://discord.gg/vpypTgPEvYTWITTER ►► https://twitter.com/thevariable_IDFACEBOOK ►► https://www.facebook.com/thevariable.design/INSTAGRAM ►► https://www.instagram.com/thevariable.design/LINKEDIN ►► https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-variable-designSupport the show (https://www.patreon.com/thevariabledesign)

John Mauriello is an intensely driven independent industrial designer and adjunct professor of industrial design at California College of the Arts. John works with clients to create best-selling designs that display quality, function intuitively, and meet real-world constraints around manufacturing, deadlines, and cost. John's industrial design skills have allowed him to help clients create new brands and ship groundbreaking products in new and unexplored product categories. John strives to achieve the highest standard in his design work. Never shying away from the tough questions in design, he takes great pride in his design decisions and the principles he uses to make them. John's work has been featured in several top-tier publications such as Forbes, Tech Crunch, Venture Beat, Design Boom, Popular Science, and many others. He has demonstrated his ability to deliver game-changing industrial design work for companies like Amazon, Qualcomm, Logitech, and Motorola, as well as with several startups like Eatsa and ElectroSpit. John is the founder of Design Theory, a YouTube channel where he discusses various ideas around design and culture. The channel has been very successful, growing from 100 subscribers to over 48,000 in the space of 16 months. John's design philosophy is simple: Tools and products should be an extension of the body, requiring no conscious articulation or thought to use. These tools must also inspire us through their carefully crafted forms and surfaces. John's passion is to give people the intuitive and beautiful physical objects they need in order to achieve mastery in whatever activity they engage in. 

About ReidA NYC based Industrial Designer with a solid history working in the design consulting and education space. Currently an Associate Design Director at Aruliden and an Adjunct Professor at The Parsons School of Design, teaching process drawing+digital visualization and Studio 4. In his spare time Reid partners with brands and shares his design work on his instagram account (138k followers), creates online design curriculum and is designing and building a bespoke cabin in upstate NY.Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/thevariabledesign)

About Spencer NugentAs the founder of Sketch-A-Day.com, Nugent has been engaged in providing free, high-quality online design sketching tutorials and on-site sketch workshops since 2008.. Nugent has worked with General Motors, Astro Studios as well as brands including Adidas, Dell, Intel, Hasbro, and more.. Through his own business, 50/50 creative labs, he provides creative experimentation and consulting in the categories of Industrial Design, UX, Graphics, Illustration, Prototyping, and Implementation. On top of his regular content creation and running his business, Spencer has partnered with Advanced Design and teaches a 12-week online course on Design Discourse for the educational program Offsite with the goal of helping students to figure out why they design, what they design for, and how to communicate the value of their work.Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/thevariabledesign)

What does it take to create a game and launch it from the ground up? How do you prepare concepts to pitch to major retailers like Target and Wal Mart? Tim Walsh shares his uncensored advice on how to successfully navigate the challenges of creating games and toys in the play industry. About Tim Walsh TIM WALSH is a professional speaker, author, game designer and filmmaker. As a play advocate, Tim is out to prove play is a means through which we find our passion,pique curiosity, encourage problem-solving, spark creativity and promote intrinsic motivation. A 30-year veteran of the toy industry, Tim's designs and codesigns of games have sold over 7 million copies in 13 countries and include the games TriBond, Blurt, Mad Gab, Feed Fuzzy, Bull's Eye and many others. Tim's latest game, MEGA MOUTH: The Game of Reading Lips from Big G Creative is now for sale exclusively in Target stores nationally.Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/thevariabledesign)

When is the last time you've been deeply inspired by the world around us and the amazing things we have created? Yorgo Lykouria shares inspiring insights on his design process, how we can make an impact, and what it takes for us to create our ideal environment.  This audio was taken from a live YouTube Q&A segment featuring Yorgo. You can view it here.About Yorgo LykouriaRainlight is an integrated design studio, operating between offices in London and New York with client collaborations across North America, Europe, and Asia. Part Laboratory, part workshop, part studio, Rainlight combines inspired design thinking with business acumen to create products that enhance how people live, work, and play.London-based Creative Director, Yorgo Lykouria, discovers the needs of a changing world through cross‐cultural research utilizing an extensive network of experts in various market sectors. A selection of some of Rainlight's internationally-renowned partners includes Tecno, Scavolini, Allsteel, Carnegie, Zumtobel and Okamura.For more information follow @Rainlightstudio on social and visit www.Rainlightstudio.comSupport the show (https://www.patreon.com/thevariabledesign)

In this episode we discuss how having clear vision/mission statements can make or break your final design. We talk about mentorship, how to choose final design solutions, and what makes a designer more or less successful.  This episode was a live recording that aired June 4,2021 and can be viewed online on The Variable YouTube channel. The "daisy chain" mentioned in the podcast: Design ...is one of many...Outcomes ...which are created by...People ...who are attracted to...Culture ...which is built from...Organizations ...that arise from...Strategy ...that is determined by...Mission ... which is driven by...Vision About Bob BaxleyBob Baxley is a design executive who lives and works in Silicon Valley. He currently serves as the Senior Vice-President of Design & Experience at ThoughtSpot, a business intelligence and data analytics platform. Prior to ThoughtSpot, Bob was Head of Product Design at Pinterest where he built, led, and managed a multifaceted design team responsible for both the consumer and business facing elements of Pinterest.Starting in 2006, Bob spent over eight years at Apple, where he served in senior leadership roles for Apple's retail and e-commerce teams. As a Director of Design, Bob hired and led the creative team responsible for a broad variety of applications including the Apple Online Store, the Apple Store app, and the transactional areas of iPhoto and GarageBand.As Director of Design for Yahoo! Search, Bob built and led the design team that created Yahoo! Answers and designed other search-centric properties. Bob's career as a designer began at Claris Corporation where he was Lead UI Designer for the initial releases of ClarisWorks and MacProject Pro.The author of “Making the Web Work”, Bob is also a sought after public speaker sharing his experiences and observations about a range of topics related to design, technology, innovation, and the culture of Silicon Valley.Bob holds a B.A. in History and a B.S in Radio/Television/Film from the University of Texas at Austin as well as a Master of Liberal Arts from Stanford University.Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/thevariabledesign)

About Brett Lovelady:Brett Lovelady is the founder of ASTRO Studios in San Francisco / Silicon Valley / CA. ASTROis a team of innovation experts & designers of consumer brands and products that inspiremarkets and strive to improve the human experience.Brett founded ASTRO Studios in 1994 to blend the value of design with technology and cultural insights producing a wide range of iconic, brands and products for clients like: Nike, HP, Western Digital, Logitech, P&G, Shinola, Xbox, Vive and many more worldwide.  Brett is recognized as one of America's top design leaders, advocating for design and directing some of the world's most culturally relevant programs, while helping clients generate billions in newrevenue worldwide. ASTRO and Brett have worked on hundreds of products and brands, from Fortune 100 clients to start-ups, receiving a range of industry recognitions including Fast Company's Most Innovative Companies in Design, two BusinessWeek Design of the Decade awards and 9 nominations for Cooper Hewitt National Design Award. Brett has also co-created and launched his own brands, most notably ASTRO Gaming** now part of Logitech's family of brands. Recently ASTRO joined forces with London based PA Consulting a world leader in innovation & commercialization. **ASTRO expanded beyond design when in 2007 when they spun-off ASTRO GamingInc., (AG) into an industry leading, hi-performance e-Sports company. In 2011 the venture-backed AG achieved #13 on the INC. 500 fastest-growing companies list and was acquired bypre-IPO, Skullcandy Inc.  Then in 2017, AG was sold Logitech expanding rapidly in pursuit ofglobal gaming domination.Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/thevariabledesign)

This audio is taken from a YouTube live event with Michael DiTullo. View replay of the original broadcast on The Variable In this episode of The Variable we sit down with the famous Michael DiTullo and talk about the fundamentals of Industrial design and cover the following lessons from Michael's illustrious career.- What do Industrial Designers do? Clarifying our mission, purpose, and how the online personification of an industrial designer isn't true to our actual role. - Major milestones of your career as an Industrial Designer? - The purpose of sketching - What defines successful design? - Value of unconventional design processAnd we open up the mics for guests to speak with Michael during our Q&A segment. Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/thevariabledesign)

Jacob Ballard from the famous Instagram account @sketchfresh talks about what it takes to level up as an industrial designer. In this live Q&A episode we talk about how to successfully find new clients as a freelancer, how to improve your portfolio, the value of sketch ideation and what we can expect to see for the future of industrial design. Most importantly, we talk about the emotional impact of design.  Be sure to follow this sketch master at www.sketchfresh.comSupport the show (https://www.patreon.com/thevariabledesign)

In this episode of The Variable we talk about what it takes to take yourself to the next level as an Industrial Designer and how to make the most out of your early years in the industry. Britt shares his experience spreading his wings just after graduating, the lessons he's learned along the way, and he tells us specific things we can do to make the best impression in job interviews. He talks about pushing ourselves to perform in our design work, and the value of getting uncomfortable to see success. Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/thevariabledesign)

If you're looking for advice on how to turn your side hustle into your main hustle, our interview with Scotty Russell from The Perspective Collective won't disappoint. Scotty shares his inspiring story of how he started from rock bottom and built up a creative community and thriving business. Be sure to check out Scotty's mentorship programs and design products on his website and subscribe to his weekly podcast The Perspective Podcast  for added motivation to help you get through your weekly grind. About Scotty RussellScotty is an artist, designer, coach, podcaster, and speaker working under the name Perspective-Collective. He's an outer space, pizza loving cat dad, AND human dad based in Cedar Falls, Iowa.After 5.5 years building his creative side hustle outside his Corporate Cubicle, he took the leap and  made the full-time shift to Side Hustle Coach in January 2020.He's a graphic wizard, a mega-motivator, and marketing savant thats on a mission is to help creatives blaze their own path to side hustle success OUTSIDE THEIR DAY JOB.Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/thevariabledesign)

This episode we opened up the channels and let our listeners talk directly with Tucker Viemeister about his experience in the design industry. We talk about his early career setbacks, his most well-known products, and what he's learned along the way.  About Tucker Viemeister-If you don't know who he is, consider this your very brief introduction to the creative mastermind BusinessWeek calls a "Guru." Tucker humbly describes his profession in 3 words- I design stuff. His illustrious career spans from developing consumer products, transportation, architecture, digital interactive responsive experiences, graphics, to branding and strategy. He's designed cookware and sunglasses for Corning, street furniture for the National Zoo, internet appliances for Google, a mobile kitchen/classroom for Jamie Oliver, and in the beginning, jewelry.Viemeister was the lab chief of the LAB at Rockwell Group. Before this, he was VP of creative at Studio Red who is know for their multidisciplinary work with big companies like Coca-Cola, McDonald's and Starwood. He also help create the new "Fourth and Towne" brand for Gap, and helped found a number of well-known design organizations like  frogdesign NY, Razorfish's physical design capability, Smart Design (where he helped design the widely-acclaimed Oxo "GoodGrips"), and Springtime USA who specialize in mobility, brand development and smart products for clients like Heineken, Nike, Toyota and Kate Spade.

In this episode we wrap up our first season of The Variable by reviewing all our favorite moments and life lessons learned from the industry experts that we had the honor of featuring.  We take a moment to step back and reflect on the common themes of each guest and discuss how those insights impacted our perspective on design, design thinking, and the power we have to make an impact with our craft. This episode features a special co-host Andre Cotan who eloquently adds his outside perspective to the mix and gives us all further enlightenment on just how inspiring each guest's stories were. He turns the tables and asks profound questions that lead us to a nicely packaged set of takeaways every listener can immediately apply to their life/work to see results. Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/thevariabledesign)

What does it really take to boostrap your own business? How do you build a client list and take your dream from zero to hero? Alex Schreer gives us a clear picture of the realities of entrepreneurship. He talks about his failures, his successes, and how design thinking has played a key role in him building a successful business and mastering his craft. About Alex:With a background in product design and a lifelong explorer of creative mediums, Alex is a true solution seeker. Whether bringing physical or ideological based solutions to every project he is a part of, he uses his blending of design background with visual storytelling through a variety of mediums to create impactful and emotive forms of art. A former creative resident of the global creative agency 72andSunny's Los Angeles office, he has crafted compelling commercial content and experiences for internationally recognized brands such as Starbucks and Adidas. A Founder and Creative Director at Reelbros Media he has helped build his own brand to work with the likes of Ford, Lexus, Yeti, The Tonight Show, Arizona State University, Peterbilt, Arizona Coyotes, and More. Recognized for his focus on content with social currency, he understands the responsibility and power held by creative individuals in the modern economy and the stories we tell. He remains passionately curious while documenting his own story through the business of art for commerce.Links:www.reelbrosmedia.comInstagram : @reelbros.media  @SchreerluckSupport the show (https://www.patreon.com/thevariabledesign)

In this episode we get deep into the heart of what drives a truly successful design and what are the makings of a great designer. Scott shares major life lessons and takeaways from his experience as an Industrial Designer and we discuss the naturally-occurring thread that ties us and all elements together- flow. By understanding and appreciating how this seemingly innate influence gravitates us toward one design/abstraction over another, we can unlock the key to generating universally attractive designs and augment our creative output. About Scott Henderson:Scott Henderson is among the top Industrial Designers working in America today. The product designs Scott has created for his global fortune 500 client base have become best selling industry disruptors. If you browse through his long list of designs, odds are pretty good you've owned or used one of his iconic products.Aside from his world-renown and award-winning work in industrial design, Scott is a consistent generator of unique intellectual property, as evidenced by his portfolio of over 50 patents in the U.S. and Europe for novel innovations in fields as diverse as housewares and home accessories to consumer medical products and electronics. Scott's work is included in the permanent collection of the Brooklyn Museum, the Cooper Hewitt Smithsonian National Design Museum and the Alessi Museum.Over 90% of Scott's projects have been mass-produced, a track record few designers can claim. His designs have generated hundreds of millions of dollars in revenues for his clients. Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/thevariabledesign)

In this episode of the variable, we get raw and real as we discuss the fundamentals of product design with Eli Woolery from InVision's The Design Better Podcast.  This episode we cover aspects of design, question the dogmatic culture of design-thinking, and uncover some of the underrated skills that set expert designers apart from the pack.  This episode is rich with applicable advice taken from Eli's years of experience working in the industry, interviewing experts as a podcast host, and teaching at Stanford University. About Eli WooleryElijah Woolery is an author, speaker, and designer, with a depth of experience in product, user interface, and user experience design. He currently works as the Senior Director of Design Education at InVision, where he writes, speaks, and runs workshops to help large enterprises adopt better design practices. His design career spans both physical and digital products, and he has worked with companies ranging from startups (his own and others) to Fortune 500 companies.He's the co-host, along with Aarron Walter, of the Design Better Podcast, which was nominated for a Webby in 2020, and has had the pleasure of interviewing creatives like John Maeda, Debbie Millman, Seth Godin, Jason C. Mayden, and the inimitable John Cleese. He wrote The Design Thinking Handbook for InVision, which is currently used in the curriculum at UC Berkeley's Jacobs Institute for Design, as well as USC's Graduate School of Business.In addition to his background in product & industrial design, he has been a professional photographer and filmmaker. He teaches the senior capstone class Implementation to undergraduate Product Designers at Stanford University.Links and other related content from this episode:The Design Better Podcast: https://www.designbetter.co/podcastThe Design Thinking Handbook : https://www.designbetter.co/design-thinkingGreyscalegorilla: https://greyscalegorilla.comErica Hall, Minimum Viable Ethnography:   https://medium.com/mule-design/minimum-viable-ethnography-a047e9358df0Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/thevariabledesign)

This episode of The Variable we get raw and real as we cut through all the superfluous fluff and really talk about the meat and potatoes of design.Topics that we cover include (but aren't limited to):How to do well in design competitions and how they can be used to kickstart your design careerStrategies for identifying issues with your design.How to seek out mentorship and take criticism in a productive way. How to be empathetic in your designs and work through difficult personal hardship.How to appropriately do side work without conflict of interest and use those projects to help further your career. How we can make an impact and promote the value of women in design. About Lea StewartFrom her 20 years of experience, Lea can tell you that the common theme to winning design is to be empathic, focus on the consumer and apply a world class aesthetic. Beyond her core role in industrial design, she's been a design educator, a blogger, a public speaker, a mom, and even a model maker. Her work has been printed in several publications, including Becoming a Product Designer and The Eco Design Handbook. Lea also has received several international design awards for her groundbreaking design work. She is a board member of Women in Industrial Design Chicago, and leads their blog content. Currently, she is a Senior Manager at Newell Brands, Baby Division, leading up a team of industrial designers to create car seats, strollers, bottles, and other products to bring sanity, safety, and joy to families.Her work can be found at http://leastewart.com/ and on Instagram @leadesigns Links to other content mentioned in the show:www.russcluff.comhttps://www.reelbrosmedia.com/Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/thevariabledesign)

What does it take to be one of the top designers in the industry? How can your design work stand out from the competition and be truly remarkable? What do you need to focus on in order to step up your portfolio game and win the job? We cover all of these topics and more during our conversation with the famous Nick Chubb. During this interview we reference his latest blog article Best action plan for a graduate Product Designer looking to land a job? https://www.nickchubbdesign.com/action-plan-for-graduate-product-designer/ Be sure to subscribe to Nick's blog and check out his portfolio improvement program for specific feedback on how to make your work more impressive to prospective employers and win the job. https://www.nickchubbdesign.com/portfolio-improvement-program/About Nick ChubbNick Chubb currently works as the lead Industrial Designer for Industrial Design Consultancy in London. He's spent the last 9 years of his  Industrial Design career designing consumer products, electronics and medical devices for businesses ranging from Fortune 500 multinationals to new tech start-ups. After earning a First Class Master's Degree in Product Design, he was selected by Develop3D as one of the Top 5 New Designers in the UK. He's known for his passion for design and being able to masterfully use his craft to drive business growth, build scalable brands and create social impact. Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/thevariabledesign)

In this episode we discuss the five tried-and-true fundamentals of good design that have helped Ritual Creative grow into a thriving design consultancy built on a foundation of stunning, award-winning work. Curiosity- How can we be intentionally curious to become better creatives? Optimism- How does optimism play a key role in creating compelling designs?Meaning- How can our work transcend styling and approach truly meaningful design?Empathy- How does empathy make or break the overall design and user experience of a product?Competence- How can we build the foundation for successful product development early in the design process? Collaboration- How can we foster a collaborative approach where business and creative are working side by side to provide both rational and emotional intelligence?About Thorben-Thorben Neu is founder and Design Director at Ritual Creative. Ritual partners with forward looking companies in creating strategies, products and experiences that are authentic, relevant, beautiful and make the world a better place. Thorben has over 20 years of experience in developing successful products from concept to store. His engagements include Belkin, where he was design director for the Linksys and WeMo brands, Lunar Design and Continuum in San Francisco, Boston and Milan. During his career Thorben was recognized with numerous international design awards including Red Dot, iF, IDEA and Good Design. Thorben graduated with honors from Art Center College of Design and Art Center (Europe) with a BSc. in Product Design.  Thorben opened up Ritual Creative in 2016- where he and his team  of creatives have been developing award-winning physical and digital designs for their clients ever since. If you are in the mood for some real eye-candy, the work that Thorben and his team have done will not disappoint. Be sure to check out ritual.la to see for yourself. Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/thevariabledesign)

Working with the FDA to develop a medical product is a challenge. (And that's putting it lightly) That's why we're grateful to have Matt Goulet from Primordial Soup- a medical development consultancy in the Twin Cities- share industry secrets on how to successfully take medical concepts from start to finish. In this episode we discuss what it took for P-Soup to build their ISO-13485  compliant shop and how they continue to masterfully design and engineer complicated medical products for their clients.  We talk specifically about the different medical device classes, how those differences impact design approach, and how to successfully integrate FDA requirements in the design process from the start. Matt talks about how he -personally- would develop a medical device if he were a business owner, and gives us an uncensored perspective on exactly what it takes to make it in the industry. We talk about challenges that have arisen due to working remotely during a global pandemic, and how to keep a business in motion when working with strong personalities internally. More about Matt GouletMatt has worked at a number of firms developing award-winning products for major brands like SC Johnson, Case, Bomag, GE Medical, Rubbermaid, Shur-Line, and Ace. For the past 14 years he's worked at design consultancies developing a myriad of different products, but his latest and greatest work has been in developing medical devices at Primordial Soup for the past 7 years. He is the lead Industrial Designer for P-Soup and is charged with overseeing the entire development process as design and engineering staff collaborate to take concepts from start to finish. Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/thevariabledesign)

Nate Mirand is one of the original founders of the nationally-acclaimed Ravencrest Tactical.He graduated from Arizona State University in 2003 in computer science and engineering, but it wasn't long before he found himself neck deep in the world of entrepreneurship. Despite the fact that he didn't explicitly study design and development, he's found great success designing, manufacturing and marketing custom products ranging from high-end carbon fiber pens to tactical knives and firearms. For the last 8 years he's been building Raven Crest Tactical and has taken it from a struggling startup to a nationally recognized brand with major contracts with local law enforcement and the military. Links from show topics:Socket holder case study https://www.russcluff.com/dude-dadBuy a Dude Dad Full Metal Socket hereRavencrest Tactical Knives https://ravencresttactical.com/Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/thevariabledesign)

Patty Post is a serial-entrepreneur, a goal-getter, and a full-time mom. She has had the opportunity to work in various sales/management positions with well-known companies like UPS and  Stryker Neruo, Spine and ENT. Her most recent noteworthy accomplishment was starting a medical device company called Checkable Medical. As a parent and a patient, founder and CEO, Patty was frustrated with the status quo of going to the clinic to get checked for an infection. She imagined an at-home diagnostic that would confirm an infection that allowed her and her loved ones to receive a treatment plan from a virtual care provider. She couldn't find a solution so she is building one with a team of healthcare and technology experts.Checkable Medical's mission is to empower individuals to make clinical, evidence-based decisions from the comfort of their homes. Checkable Medical is focused on delivering innovative at-home diagnostic testing to employers and individuals.Without having to go to the doctor, their diagnostic tests paired with a digital platform will allow individuals and caregivers to administer their own tests for infectious diseases thus reducing the burden on our healthcare system and minimizing exposure to the population. Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/thevariabledesign)

Running a design/engineering consultancy, developing your own products and giving back to the community by teaching its kids about design are all notable achievements that Michael Prince has accomplished in his long career. In this episode we talk about the challenges of running and operating your own business, steps we can take to be more sustainable in our designs and- most importantly- how the secret to unlocking the best solution for your designs lies in the process. Overview of Episode Content00:02:06- The Story Behind Beyond Design00:06:41- How you tell someone their work sucks?00:08:53- Are we putting too much emphasis on quality sketch work?00:16:23- Process and how it has set Beyond Design apart from competitors.00:20:24- Improving Sustainability00:25:50- Making an impact through education00:40:15- The Job Gap- what to do?00:50:48- "The Variable"More About Michael PrinceOver the past 30 years, Michael Prince has been deeply involved in the product development industry. After earning a Bachelor's degree in Industrial and Product Design at Syracuse University, he started his career working in product planning for Sony Corporation then worked as a product designer for Thomson Consumer Electronics before ultimately opening Beyond Design in 1994.As an avid entrepreneur he's always had side projects to keep him busy. While running Beyond Design he started Yummy Designs- a brand through which he's been able to launch his own products like The Ultimate Hanger and the Buzz Brush. If that's not enough for you, Michael also loves to teach students about product development by offering internship programs to students from universities around the world and even created two programs at a Chicago Public School centered on teaching students all about the product development process and what it takes to design and market a product. 

Brian Nissen is an expert marketer and storyteller. Among his many great accomplishments he's most noted for writing the animated musical The Swan Princess (1994) and its ten sequels (and counting!) In this fun-filled episode of The Variable, Brian shares his experience as an entrepreneur building his pool of clients and working as a middle man with contract creative workers. He shares suggestions on how to network with people, price out your work, and see red flags early on in a project. He gives specific advice on how to motivate and manage a team and emphasizes the true power solid story telling has to drive successful sale of your product. Overview of episode content:00:07:20    - What got you interested in your profession?00:11:33    - Getting the job to write Swan Princess  00:15:54    - Transitioning to freelance full time00:19:00    - How did you land your first clients?00:21:43    - What do you do when you first meet with a new client?00:24:45    - Proving your value and avoiding red flags. 00:28:04    - Pricing projects and when to say no00:32:00    - When you hire designers, what are your expectations? 00:34:00    - Kill the micromanagement culture.  00:37:01    - What is your variable for success?More about Brian NissenHe received a bachelor's degree from Northern Arizona University and a Master of Fine Arts from California Institute of the Arts. While at CalArts he wrote a one-act play called Oscar (1989) that won the National Short Play Award for the American College Theatre Festival. He's also written almost a hundred screenplays for an animated series about the Bible and heroes of world history.  In 2004 he created a live stage show called Citrus Valley Playhouse. Performed in the style of old-time radio, it highlighted Arizona history, politics and culture. It appeared as an occasional special on KJZZ (NPR) and in 2007 its production of The Napolinator won Best Play of 2007 from the East Valley Tribune.  Today, Brian creates political ads, web videos and spoof songs performed by his mulleted alter ego, Dwain. Make America Great Again aggregated several million views.  Contact Brian Nissen via email at Brian.citrusvalley@gmail.com or tune into his podcast Storybabble.Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/thevariabledesign)

About Ken-Ken Mori is the Principal Designer at Belkin International. Ken has over 25 years of experience developing products from conception to mass production. Over this time, he has been granted dozens of patents and worked on over a hundred products sent to market. His work as a DIY urban designer has been included in the project Spontaneous Interventions, which was exhibited at the Venice Architecture Biennale.In this episode of The Variable Ken shares inspiring insights about his journey in design thinking and product development. We discuss his social experiments  and passion projects centered around improving our living spaces and communities. The topics we explore include (but aren't limited to):- Is SolidWorks the best software for Industrial Designers?- Can designers be successful without knowing fundamentals of design for manufacturing?- What is the future of Industrial Design?- Pursuing our passion for design in a fulfilling way.Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/thevariabledesign)

Carlos Mendez is a creator. Weather he's designing physical products for manufacturing or creating interactive 3D animations, his work tells an amazing story. He graduated with honors in Industrial Design from Art Center College of Design. He has years working as a freelancer with major companies like Samsung, Pulse  Global, and Belkin. He owned and operated his own startup called Chico&DOG before founding Mendez Creatives Where he works as an Industrial designer and 3D artist. During our time with Carlos we discuss versatility in design, how needs and scarcity drive innovation, and how strategically developing skills can contribute towards a fulfilling career in design. To view his work or contact Carlos with inquiries visit https://mendezcreative.com/ Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/thevariabledesign)

Joel Cook is the lead designer at Rocket Media. He graduated from ASU in 2014 with a Bachelor's of Science in Visual Communication Design. He has worked in numerous industries developing compelling graphics for vehicle wraps, apparel, print media as well as front end web and app development. In this episode Joel tells us about his experience working in various positions and shares specific advice on how to do well in the design industry. He shares his thoughts on how entrepreneurs can have the best success when working with creatives and openly shares his thoughts on how to execute the design process for the best results. We cover best practices on working with clients, tips for improving your portfolio, and which online influencers aspiring designers should follow for inspiration. Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/thevariabledesign)