Hilgard Muller: Senior Designer, Head Protection at HighBar in Chico, CA

Senior Design Professional with over 25 yrs of product design and development experience in the sporting goods industry with an emphasis in head protection and hard goods. I have developed a unique, holistic approach to product design and innovation that yields market-winning results. My design experience has been focused on designing innovative, market leading products that can be manufactured and meet all business requirements. I possess a very strong ability to execute 3-D forms that are well balanced and have relevancy to their respective consumers. I have had the privilege of overseeing a multi functional product creation team consisting of Industrial Design, CMF Design, Mechanical Engineering, Product Developers, Test Engineering, Prototyping and Manufacturing through all aspects of the design process from “concept to production”. My focus has always been to promote design by gathering insights through the eyes of the end user while challenging the existing paradigms. I have extensive, hands on product development experience with elite professional athletes. I have strong ability to recognize emerging categories and opportunities through market research and intuition.

•Keep informed of design, research, engineering and marketing developments to constantly improve design ability, related product and industry knowledge. •Study consumer trends related to design. Proactively adapt and conceptualize these trends as suggestions for future products or product line introductions or enhancements. •Determine materials, construction, mechanisms, shape, color, surface finish, manufacturing processes, and packaging in cooperation with other business functions involved in the development of new products. •Able to direct the execution of design concepts and ideas by others in 2-D or 3-D as deemed appropriate. •Work closely with Sales, Marketing, and Mechanical Engineering staff to conceptualize new product ideas based on an understanding of competitive products and market needs •Design new products working in conjunction with Mechanical Engineers to combine function and aesthetics into market leading products •Create mock-ups and prototypes to evaluate conceptual designs •Direct the efforts of inside and outside resources to create drawings, models and prototypes •Create sketches, drawings and specifications to translate ideas into models and working prototypes •Create and maintain design documentation such as assembly drawings, product and material specifications, bill of materials, etc. to assure quality in product designs •Conduct cost analysis on new product designs •Evaluate designs relative to applicable safety standards •Test functional prototypes to verify design intent through virtual or physical methods •Work with Manufacturing Engineering and Operations departments to improve cost and ease of manufacturing throughout development and after product launch •Direct the efforts of Staff and Junior Designers and Interns to assist with the product design process •Take on minor, major and platform level projects •Provide mentorship to Staff and Junior Industrial Designers

Spacecraft structure assembly.