I am an Industrial Designer and Product Developer based in Los Angeles, California, dedicated to transforming ideas into market-ready products. I oversee every stage of the design process, from initial concept to mass production, ensuring excellence and delivering high-quality results.

My comprehensive approach involves seamless collaboration with engineers, marketing teams, product managers, cost analysts, and external vendors. This collaborative method enables me to create innovative product solutions for a diverse range of clients, from Fortune 500 companies to privately-owned start-ups.

Originally from South Korea, I grew up in New York City, where I earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the School of Visual Arts (SVA) and a Master of Industrial Design from Pratt Institute. My design philosophy focuses on understanding problems and building meaningful relationships between users and products. By meticulously observing, researching, and analyzing how people of all ages and backgrounds interact with everyday products, I strive to improve pain points and uncover new insights.

As a creative thinker and proactive problem-solver, I value teamwork and collaboration in every project. Known for my strong communication and client relations skills, I blend professionalism with a customer-centric approach. My leadership abilities enable me to navigate challenges with flexibility and an adaptive work ethic.

Areas of Expertise

  • Industrial Design: User Research, Competitor Analysis, Sketching, Ideation, Design Concepts, Design Language, Ergonomics, User Experience, Universal Design, Testing, 3D Modeling, Visualization, 3D Rendering, Fashion Design, CMF Design; Farnsworth Munsell 100 Hue, Trend Research & Analysis, Trend Forecasting, Technical Specifications

  • Product Development: Soft Goods & Hard Goods, Costing, DFM, Sample Approval, Technical Design, Quality Standards, Oversees Packaging, Collaborate with Mechanical Engineers, Create Mock-ups, Approve Pre-Production Samples, Purchase & Maintain Equipment, Mass Production

  • Project Management: Cross-Functional Collaboration, Design Thinking, Supplier Relationships, BPM, Profitability, Global Product, Trade Shows, Retail Planning, Time Management, Result & Goal Oriented, Logical Decisions

  • Design Leadership: Manage a Team, Strategic Design, Design Process Creation, Design Sprint Sessions Hosting, Innovation Workshops Facilitation, Multi-task, Brand Equity, Creative Design, Negotiating Skills, Written Communication, Cross-Functional Collaboration, Coaching & Mentorship Lead by Example

I am passionate about bringing ideas to life, valuing simple aesthetics, and creating designs that resonate with users and stand the test of time.

More About Me

From a young age, my passion for creativity thrived as I immersed myself in the world of painting. Mixing paints to create new colors and experimenting with textures allowed me to vividly express my emotions on canvas. This early experience as a painter ignited my fascination with the intricate relationship between color, material, and finish (CMF).

As I transitioned into industrial design, I discovered immense joy in applying my artistic background to designing everyday products. The CMF field captivated me, blending aesthetics with functionality and enabling me to enhance the user experience through thoughtful design choices. My journey as a maker has taught me to appreciate the profound impact that tactility has on the look and feel of products, making them not only visually appealing but also deeply engaging to interact with.

Contact: simonkangdesign@gmail.com