RODRIGO OLEA
Saint Augustine
Summary
ABOUT ME: Industrial designer with 17 years of overall experience and 7 years of team leading experience. Executive skills include: team management, multi national team leading, product development and design thinking.
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
Work History
Adjunct Professor of Industrial Design
Hofstra University
Garden City, NY
09.2019 - 12.2021
- Developed syllabus and taught Introductory & Advanced ID classes both on presentialand hybrid mode
- Introduced students to design thinking methodology through consecutive workshopsessions leading to concept development and prototype iterations.
- Cultivated interpersonal skills by building positive relationships with others.
Senior Product Designer & Category Manager
Lifetime Brands
Garden City, NY
01.2012 - 12.2021
- Led design development in liaison with Chinese engineering team and manufacturer forhigh stakes projects
- Conceptualized, designed and led the development of Battery operated Opticalsharpener
- Managed the Sabatier brand and design development for the American market
- Devel-oped cutlery, tools & gadgets for mayor national brands: Sabatier, KitchenAid, Cuisinart,and Farberware
- Mentored & evaluated Junior designers performance.
Director of Product Design & Innovation
Hans-Mill Corp
Ponte Vedra, FL
12.2021 - 05.2023
- Mill Corp/CY Top
- Led Industrial design teams in China in the development of product lines for Walmart and
- Target in Cookware, Hydration, Camping, Storage and Office organization categories
- Expanded product line-up for The Home Edit Brand
- Interviewed & hired new team members
- Conducted performance evaluations
- Developed SOPʼs to streamline coordination between USA and China design teams.
- Strengthened communication skills through regular interactions with others.
- Proved successful working within tight deadlines and a fast-paced environment.
- Participated in team projects, demonstrating an ability to work collaboratively and effectively.
Industrial Designer II
Gruskin Group
Springfield, NJ
02.2006 - 12.2011
- Led concept & design development for P.O.P & retail environments for Verizon Wireless
- Created full scale models of P.O.P and furniture pieces with A.D.A compliance standards.
- Proven ability to learn quickly and adapt to new situations.
- Worked effectively in fast-paced environments.
Industrial Designer
CoreGear LLC
Manhattan, NY
08.2006 - 11.2006
- Developed soft prototypes concepts for “EZ2C” luggage line, tech-packages, colorschemes and brand identity
- Brand & logo development for CoreGear and Xip3 apparel transformable jacket.
Industrial Designer
Victoria Blau Architects
01.2004 - 08.2004
- Designing custom furniture solutions for selected projects.
Education
Master of Industrial Design -
Pratt Institute
2006
Bachelor of Science - Architecture
Universidad Finis Terrae
Santiago, Chile2000
Skills
- Complex assembly development and quality control
- 3D MODELING:
- Solidworks 2022, Keyshot
- Adobe creative suit
- Sketchbook Pro, ProCreate
- Wacom tablet user
- Windows & Mac proficient
- 3D printing with Insight and CatalystEX
- Basic engineering Principles, mechanicalInteractions & tolerances
- AI assisted concept Development, Midjourney
- Photo rendering and editing
- 3D Rendering: Keyshot
- Hand sketching
- Digital sketching
- Quote & production Drawings
- Design Thinking & strategy
- Training Junior designers, Overseeing Interns
- Technical Design Management
- Design Evaluations
Certification
Leading with innovation. June 16, 2023.
Industrial Design Foundations, July 14, 2023.
Design Foundations: Physical Materials. July 15, 2023.
Design Thinking: Understanding the Process. July 16, 2023.
Design Thinking: Lead Change in Your Organization. July 23, 2023.
Additional Information
• Winner of the MoBus sneaker design contest, Germany in the “futurist/tech” category,
2005.
• Academic Excellence Scholarship at Pratt Institute, Brooklyn, NY. Spring Semester
2004.
• Recipient of several US
Languages
English
Full Professional
Spanish
Native or Bilingual
Timeline
Director of Product Design & Innovation
Hans-Mill Corp
12.2021 - 05.2023
Adjunct Professor of Industrial Design
Hofstra University
09.2019 - 12.2021
Senior Product Designer & Category Manager
Lifetime Brands
01.2012 - 12.2021
Industrial Designer
CoreGear LLC
08.2006 - 11.2006
Industrial Designer II
Gruskin Group
02.2006 - 12.2011
Industrial Designer
Victoria Blau Architects
01.2004 - 08.2004
Master of Industrial Design -
Pratt Institute
Bachelor of Science - Architecture
Universidad Finis Terrae