Nick Blair
Director of Product at Koss Corporation- Claim this Profile
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Bio
Douglas Carpiaux
I worked with Nick for a handful of years at BSI - a portion of that as a colleague and the remainder as his direct supervisor. I can say that Nick possessed a special mix of skills and sensibilities which were valuable and unique within our team. He had strong technical skills and an ability to follow through on programs as one would want and expect of a senior team member - but his attitude and light touch at the front end is what really stood out to me. He is trend aware, entrepreneurial, very comfortable and personable with clients, and able to get the core compelling aspects of a concept across to others with a minimum of hassle or tedium. He has a healthy mix of "rock star designer" and "team player" which is exceedingly rare, and has undoubtedly played a key role in continuing his growth into a leader with subsequent employers.
Jon Rasche
Nick is a perfect Team Leader. As a young professional I was new to the game yet keen to learn and develop. As my supervisor, Nick gave me the freedom to solve my own problems, figure things out, and develop the skills I wanted to develop while always maintaining a constant mentoring presence. Nick fostered a fun and exciting workplace that everyone even outside our team enjoyed. Whether he is getting down to brass tacks on a project or golfing in the office, he's a guy you want around.
Douglas Carpiaux
I worked with Nick for a handful of years at BSI - a portion of that as a colleague and the remainder as his direct supervisor. I can say that Nick possessed a special mix of skills and sensibilities which were valuable and unique within our team. He had strong technical skills and an ability to follow through on programs as one would want and expect of a senior team member - but his attitude and light touch at the front end is what really stood out to me. He is trend aware, entrepreneurial, very comfortable and personable with clients, and able to get the core compelling aspects of a concept across to others with a minimum of hassle or tedium. He has a healthy mix of "rock star designer" and "team player" which is exceedingly rare, and has undoubtedly played a key role in continuing his growth into a leader with subsequent employers.
Jon Rasche
Nick is a perfect Team Leader. As a young professional I was new to the game yet keen to learn and develop. As my supervisor, Nick gave me the freedom to solve my own problems, figure things out, and develop the skills I wanted to develop while always maintaining a constant mentoring presence. Nick fostered a fun and exciting workplace that everyone even outside our team enjoyed. Whether he is getting down to brass tacks on a project or golfing in the office, he's a guy you want around.
Douglas Carpiaux
I worked with Nick for a handful of years at BSI - a portion of that as a colleague and the remainder as his direct supervisor. I can say that Nick possessed a special mix of skills and sensibilities which were valuable and unique within our team. He had strong technical skills and an ability to follow through on programs as one would want and expect of a senior team member - but his attitude and light touch at the front end is what really stood out to me. He is trend aware, entrepreneurial, very comfortable and personable with clients, and able to get the core compelling aspects of a concept across to others with a minimum of hassle or tedium. He has a healthy mix of "rock star designer" and "team player" which is exceedingly rare, and has undoubtedly played a key role in continuing his growth into a leader with subsequent employers.
Jon Rasche
Nick is a perfect Team Leader. As a young professional I was new to the game yet keen to learn and develop. As my supervisor, Nick gave me the freedom to solve my own problems, figure things out, and develop the skills I wanted to develop while always maintaining a constant mentoring presence. Nick fostered a fun and exciting workplace that everyone even outside our team enjoyed. Whether he is getting down to brass tacks on a project or golfing in the office, he's a guy you want around.
Douglas Carpiaux
I worked with Nick for a handful of years at BSI - a portion of that as a colleague and the remainder as his direct supervisor. I can say that Nick possessed a special mix of skills and sensibilities which were valuable and unique within our team. He had strong technical skills and an ability to follow through on programs as one would want and expect of a senior team member - but his attitude and light touch at the front end is what really stood out to me. He is trend aware, entrepreneurial, very comfortable and personable with clients, and able to get the core compelling aspects of a concept across to others with a minimum of hassle or tedium. He has a healthy mix of "rock star designer" and "team player" which is exceedingly rare, and has undoubtedly played a key role in continuing his growth into a leader with subsequent employers.
Jon Rasche
Nick is a perfect Team Leader. As a young professional I was new to the game yet keen to learn and develop. As my supervisor, Nick gave me the freedom to solve my own problems, figure things out, and develop the skills I wanted to develop while always maintaining a constant mentoring presence. Nick fostered a fun and exciting workplace that everyone even outside our team enjoyed. Whether he is getting down to brass tacks on a project or golfing in the office, he's a guy you want around.
Experience
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Koss Corporation
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Consumer Electronics
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1 - 100 Employee
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Director of Product
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Aug 2021 - Present
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Sr. Industrial Designer
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Oct 2013 - Aug 2021
At KOSS, I work within a cross-functional, multidisciplinary team to optimize the conduit between people and their media.
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Director of Industrial Design and Collaboration
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Feb 2010 - Oct 2013
Participated in all product development processes including, crafting, conducting and synthesizing ethnographic research, interfacing with clients, concept generation and refinement. Respond to project’s needs and ensure that all deliverables meet or exceed client expectations. Direct design resources to insure that project goals are being met. Produce the documentation necessary to convey the design solution to other business functions through renderings, models, mechanical drawings, and written reports. Routinely address product inefficiencies, identify untapped areas of opportunity, and execute new and inventive product solutions in a multidisciplinary team environment.
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Sr. Industrial Designer
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2009 - 2011
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Brooks Stevens, Inc.
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United States
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Design Services
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1 - 100 Employee
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Sr. Industrial Designer
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Aug 2006 - Feb 2010
Assisted in the development of products for industries ranging from housewares to medical. Assisted in the development of products for industries ranging from housewares to medical.
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Television Host
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Sep 2007 - Jan 2008
Acted as ‘The Designer” both on and off the air. Adapted existing and emerging technologies into safety concepts. Operated under extreme pressure, limited budgets, aggressive timelines and elevated expectations. Acted as ‘The Designer” both on and off the air. Adapted existing and emerging technologies into safety concepts. Operated under extreme pressure, limited budgets, aggressive timelines and elevated expectations.
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Industrial Designer
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Feb 2006 - Dec 2006
Participated in the development of a wide range of product offerings including consumer, medical, electronics, housewares, furniture, commercial, and soft goods. Participated in the development of a wide range of product offerings including consumer, medical, electronics, housewares, furniture, commercial, and soft goods.
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Brunswick Corporation
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Manufacturing
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700 & Above Employee
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Industrial Designer
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2005 - 2006
Actively assisted in the inception of this new studio which was formed with the intent to unify the Brunswick brands and elevate the level of quality and design of its products. Worked primarily in the design of boats, navigational technology, billiards and fitness equipment. Actively assisted in the inception of this new studio which was formed with the intent to unify the Brunswick brands and elevate the level of quality and design of its products. Worked primarily in the design of boats, navigational technology, billiards and fitness equipment.
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Delve
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United States
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Design
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200 - 300 Employee
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Industrial Designer
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2003 - 2005
Served as designer on several projects for companies including Abbott Laboratories, Motorola, Wilson Sporting Goods, Kohler, and U-line. Worked extensively with mechanical and electrical engineers addressing prototyping and manufacturing issues. Served as designer on several projects for companies including Abbott Laboratories, Motorola, Wilson Sporting Goods, Kohler, and U-line. Worked extensively with mechanical and electrical engineers addressing prototyping and manufacturing issues.
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Education
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2001 - 2004
Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design
BFA, Industrial Design -
1997 - 2001
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
Architecture
Community
