Experience

Elvie

• Australia
• Retail

• Design Manager

  • Nov 2020 - Present

  Leading the development of new product categories and technologies in a fast growing start-up on a mission to improve the lives of women.



Realise Product Design

• United Kingdom
• Industrial Machinery Manufacturing

• Director, Design and Operations

  • Apr 2018 - Nov 2020

• Design Director

  • Apr 2014 - Mar 2018

  Operating from a combined Operations, business development, project management and technical lead role; providing user-centred product and packaging services to household names alongside savvy start-ups.- Oversee projects and provided technical lead from conducting proposals and budgeting through to final delivery for diverse briefs ranging from medical sterilisation equipment and hospital furniture, through to electrical wiring accessories and remote video systems.- Manage project pipeline, ensuring the translation of leads into on schedule deliveries through efficient project scheduling and management as well as tracking and managing labour efficiencies and profitability.- Introduce process workflows to streamline the business development and design functions.- Produce and track the agencies annual budgets - Responsible for the output, development and mentoring of agency staff.



Avon Protection Systems

• Global Principal Designer

  • Apr 2013 - Apr 2014

  Lead Industrial design specialist for the Avon group, responsible for the global direction of Industrial Design across the businesses product development teams; leading and establishing best practice in heuristics and human centred design, and approving new designs for board level release.- Established and maintained a high-quality portfolio-wide brand DNA across all product lines to build recognition and trust. Implemented through peer review processes, workshops, and a Visual Brand Language to mentor internal design teams and guide external contractors.- Continued as project lead on several new concept respirators and platform redesigns, including a $1.6mil matched funding development program with the US Tactical Weapons Support Group (TSWG) and US Marine Corp (USMC) for a next-generation respirator platform codenamed XM55; leading a cross-functional, international design team from concept to pre-production.- Technical writer for DoD tenders, and TSWG development bids and proposals, additionally authoring comprehensive of end-of-contract reports for development programmes for government-funded development programs.- Worked with the NPD Director and fellow senior engineering stakeholders in the development and launch of a new ISO 9001 auditable, group-wide stage-gated product development and introduction process named Avon GAINS.- Selected for the CEO's talent development and mentoring program in 2014

• Senior Design Engineer

  • Sep 2011 - Apr 2013

  Responsible for the day-to-day management and creative direction of an engineering, and electronics design team across both the UK and US as technical lead on development program's; delivering respiratory protective devices and associated accessories against customer design briefs and internally funded program's within the industries tight regulatory structure.- Delivered a flame hardened dual-mode positive (SCBA) and negative breathing (APR) FM54 respirator system; upgrading the companies FM53 platform under a two-phase, TSWG, NIJ and Avon funded program; promoting new standards to be written around its performance.- Developed valve systems and hood for the first NIOSH (42CFR84) approved closed circuit breathing system (EEBD) for mining use under revised regulations.- Technical contributor and co-writer on a successfully awarded $6.7m Joint Service Aircrew Mask for Fixed Wing aircraft (JSAM) tender with the US DoD. And on the US Navy closed circuit breathing apparatus (EEBD) bid for development and supply of NIOSH approved CCBA devises, totalling $33mil.- Developed the Avon NH15 Combo, providing combined Carbon monoxide, and CBRN protection in a single escape hood.Industrial design specialist, providing ID counsel to global Engineering and Product Management stakeholders.

• Product Design Engineer

  • Jun 2008 - Sep 2011

  Grew the UK design offices commercial focus via the implementation of rapid development techniques and processes, internally securing development contracts and grant developments leading to the continued growth of the department.Designed high criticality, tight tolerance products for international military and law enforcement communities through sketch based ideation, development, prototyping, and mass production; building a solid experience of manufacturing and project management.- Designed the Avon HMK150 helmet mask interface under a joint venture between Avon Protection, Schuberth Helmets, and the French and German national police forces.- Worked on the development of the worlds thinnest regulatory approved CBRN escape hood for presidential and dignitary protection with the US Secret service.- Provided technical, engineering, and continuous improvement support for the US M50 General Services General Purpose Respirator (JSGPM), the respirator provided to all US active servicemen. And its commercial variant the C50. Along with the NH15, Avons 15 minute escape respirator.- Created and undertook test and validation plans on concepts against internal quality and external regulatory requirements.Seconded to the groups US design offices in Baltimore and Atlanta in 2011 to lead end-user studies and provide front-end conceptual support to design teams.



The Product Works

• Ireland
• Software Development

• Industrial Designer

  • Jul 2007 - Jun 2008

  Bath based consultancy providing product design solutions to medical, commercial, and consumer markets. Responsible for taking briefs through concept creation, sketch and prototype development (In house and outsourced), presentation and detail-design from a client facing position, for projects including:Minimally invasive, disposable and cleanable surgical tooling for Depuy. Specifically arthoplasty (knee replacement) tools for femoral alignment, sizing and resectioning.Ergonomic and brand value driven petrol station nozzles for British Petroleum (BP) to improve user experience at the pump for premium fuels. Cooling system and component mounting for the worlds fastest production viable computer; a flourinert immersion cooled multi-processor supercomputer.



David Connell

• United States
• Design

• Industrial Designer

  • Oct 2006 - Jun 2008

  Successfully managed and delivered freelance contracts through a private Ltd company, ranging from graphic, multimedia, and product design for clients.Delivered to diverse briefs, ranging from packaging and range expansions for PUREbreathe, a professional training device used by 'Team GB' in 2008 and rideable luggage, to the 'future of hair removal' for Proctor & Gamble.



Equilibrium Design Studio

• Design Services

• Product Designer

  • Aug 2005 - Jul 2006

  Textiles design consultancy focused on the travelgoods sector, producing product concepts, visuals, and drawings for manufacture, guiding projects from initial client briefings through first-run manufacture and onto the shelvesOperated from a client facing position to provide sketch concept creation, development, prototyping, presentation and subsequent detail design to companies including Selfridges, Audi, and Eminent LuggageDesigner of the ‘Sirocco’ brand for Azure Ltd, along with associated branding documents and packagingUndertook non-conceptual briefs such as cost reduction re-designs for Bentley well as market status briefings for Ministry of Sound