Expert Details

Visual Intellectual Property (Design Patents and Trade Dress), Industrial Design, Product Development, Design Thinking, and Innovation Strategy

ID: 734012 North Carolina, USA

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Expert is an industrial design and innovation professional with more than 30 years of experience in product development, design strategy, and organizational innovation across a wide range of industries. Professional work has focused on integrating design, engineering, and business strategy to develop new products, services, and business models. Expertise includes design thinking facilitation, innovation strategy, and the management of complex product development initiatives across international markets.

Currently serves as President and Design Thinking Facilitator & Trainer at a consulting firm specializing in innovation and design strategy. In this role, Expert leads workshops and consulting engagements that help organizations implement design thinking methodologies, develop high-performing design teams, and strengthen design-led business practices. He has also served in executive leadership roles within startup and consulting environments, contributing to product strategy, technology development, and organizational innovation initiatives.

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Earlier career roles include leadership positions in product development and industrial design for companies in consumer electronics, simulation technologies, infant products, and design consulting. Responsibilities across these roles included managing multidisciplinary teams, directing product development from concept through manufacturing, developing product roadmaps, and coordinating international design and engineering collaborations. He has also served as an assistant professor of industrial design, contributing to design education and mentoring students in product development and innovation practices.

Deeply experienced in visual intellectual property matters and has served as an expert witness in cases involving design patents, utility patents, and trade dress. Professional contributions include industry presentations, conference participation, advisory roles within professional design organizations, and recognition for leadership within the design profession, including induction into the Academy of Fellows of a leading industrial design society.

Education

Year Degree Subject Institution
Year: 2008 Degree: Masters of Design – Advanced Strategies Subject: Strategic Design Institution: The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
Year: 1989 Degree: Bachelor of Environmental Design Subject: Product Design Institution: North Carolina State University

Work History

Years Employer Title Department
Years: 2014 to Present Employer: Undisclosed Title: President Department:
Responsibilities:
• Design Thinking training & facilitation
• Expert witness - Design and Utility Patents, Trade Dress & Copyright of Useful Articles
• Strategic design advisor
Years Employer Title Department
Years: 2009 to 2015 Employer: Daedalus Title: Business Development Manager Department:
Responsibilities:
• New business sales and marketing
• Expert witness
• Strategic planning for clients
Years Employer Title Department
Years: 2006 to 2009 Employer: The Hong Kong Polytechnic University Title: Assistant Professor Department: School of Design
Responsibilities:
Taught Industrial Design courses for Bachelor level students in Industrial Design and Engineering
Years Employer Title Department
Years: 2005 to 2006 Employer: DAKA Designs Title: Director of Design Department:
Responsibilities:
Managed a department of five Industrial Designers and three Graphic Designers
Years Employer Title Department
Years: 2001 to 2005 Employer: Elumens Corp. Title: Director of Product Development Department:
Responsibilities:
• Developed concepts and component costs for custom simulator projects for commercial and military applications in US, Europe and Asia.
• Technical Sales both at Trade Shows and on-site for customers worldwide.
Years Employer Title Department
Years: 1998 to 2001 Employer: Gamil Design Title: VP/Partner Department:
Responsibilities:
• Managed new product development from initial concept sketches through manufacturing for a variety of clients.
• Shared the duties of Office Management, Sales and Marketing of the firm
Years Employer Title Department
Years: 1996 to 1998 Employer: Evenflo Company Title: Manager of Product Development Department:
Responsibilities:
• Designed and developed 7 lines of new products from initial concepts to production
• Hired and managed one direct report
Years Employer Title Department
Years: 1995 to 1996 Employer: Roadmaster Title: Industrial Designer Department:
Responsibilities:
Designed and developed a new line of higher end treadmills
Years Employer Title Department
Years: 1994 to 1995 Employer: Performance Title: Industrial Designer Department:
Responsibilities:
• Designed and developed new Bicycle Accessories
• Managed product development schedules based on introduction in five catalogs per year
Years Employer Title Department
Years: 1991 to 1994 Employer: Gerber Products Company Title: Senior Product Development Specialist Department:
Responsibilities:
Designed and developed new infant feeding products from concept to production for both International and Domestic Markets
Years Employer Title Department
Years: 1989 to 1990 Employer: Stahlwood Manufacturing Title: Design Coordinator Department:
Responsibilities:
Designed new infant products

Additional Experience

Expert Witness Experience
Expert is widely recognized fise in visual intellectual property and regularly serves as an expert witness in matters involving design patents, utility patents, and trade dress.

Career Accomplishments

Associations / Societies
• Intellectual Property Owners of America
• Industrial Design Society of America (IDSA)
• Product Development and Management Association (PDMA)
• Hong Kong Designers Association
• Design Management Institute
Licenses / Certifications
• Expert Witness for Design Patents, Industrial Designers Society of Americas, 2015
Awards / Recognition
Inducted into the Academy of Fellows, Industrial Designers Society of America
Publications and Patents Summary
• US Design patents – 14
• Utility patents – 3
• Europe Utility patents – 1
• Australia Utility Patent – 1
• WIPO Utility patents - 2

Fields of Expertise

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