Design Strategy
Human-centered Design
Product Development
Mechanical Engineering
+ More
Market Analysis & Strategic Planning
Identifying stakeholder pain-points with qualitative and quantitative user research. Analyzing the competitive landscape to define market niches for new product development and innovative business models.
Streamlining the Product Development Lifecycle
Defining what features a new product should have and aligning that vision with existing brand equity and greater business objectives.
Breaking down abstract goals into easily-understood project roadmaps with specific timelines, milestones, and deliverables. Synchronizing efforts across creative, technical, and business groups.
Roadmaps, timelines, milestones, deliverables. Breaking down abstract goals into easily-understood chunks, synchronizing efforts across creative, technical, and business teams.
Concept Generation & Iterative Testing
Sketching, wire framing, foam carving, hacking together low-fidelity prototypes. Quickly testing with users, gathering feedback, and validating ideas.
Looks-like, Works-like Proof of Concepts
Building functional electromechanical prototypes using off-the-shelf hardware, Arduinos, breadboard circuits, and 3D-printed physical touchpoints. Producing realstic renderings to explore CMF options for hardgoods, electronics housings, and retail packaging. Testing app usability and flow with high-fidelity UX / UI mockups.
Systems Integration & Detail Design
Figuring out how subsystems (ex. electronics, batteries, mechanisms, tactile feedback, etc..) interact to elegantly form cohesive products. Analyzing mechanical stresses, designing seals and weatherproofing, selecting materials for long-term performance and durability.
Design for Manufacturing & Assembly
Designing parts from the start with final production methods in mind, whether it's optimizing plastic components for defect-free injection molding, or simplifying assembly steps by replacing discrete fasteners with integrated snap-fits.
2007-2012
NC State University
Raleigh, NC
Bachelor's
Mechanical Engineering
Aerospace Engineering
Minor
Art & Design
2013-2015
University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA
Master's
Integrated Product Design
2011
New Phoenix Aerospace
Youngsville, NC
Mechanical Engineering Intern
2012
Berkshire Corporation
Whitsett, NC
Mechanical Engineering Intern
2013-2015
Humanscale
Piscataway, NJ
Design Engineer Intern
2016-2019
Tomorrow Lab
New York, NY
Product Design Engineer
2019-2022
Garzel Group
Raleigh, NC
Product Development Engineer
2022+
Garzel Group
Raleigh, NC
Principal Designer
I grew up in Raleigh, went to NC State for engineering, detoured to Philadelphia for my Master's in Product Design, and somehow wound up in NYC working on all sorts of crazy projects.
I'm very thankful for those exciting adventures, because now I get to share what I've learned by helping others build brands and launch tangible products.
Do you need help making something? Because I've got a workshop full of 3D printers, laser cutters, woodworking equipment, and countless handtools that need justification for owning.
Languages Spoken
English
Vietnamese
On weekends, I'm usually:
somewhere in the woods hiking
reading a book on the beach
repairing water damage to my house