Timotheos Leahy: Industrial Design, Human Factors, Design Research in Los Angeles, California

Product Development Consulting including: > Industrial Design services > Graphic Design services > Human Factors and end user research > Product Development strategy > Packaging Design

Senior level Industrial Design role integrated within KaVoKerr’s internal R&D team. Hired with the initial direction to foster and drive immediate impact through creative innovation and design leadership. Tasked with providing design leadership and support across all device platforms specific to endodontics and general dentistry. Other responsibilities include human factors research, identification of design criteria, validation testing, translating pain points and voice of customer into experience-centered design concepts. Utilization of sketching, CAD, rapid prototyping, user testing, verbal and visual articulation of design ideas and concepts to team members and stakeholders. Design role that requires the utilization, promotion and sharing of innovation techniques with the goal of increasing the design competency at a higher level within the organization. Major accomplishments include the planning and facilitation of a 5 day innovation workshop with over 30 key opinion leaders and fellow product development professionals. The results included the identification of 9 actionable product innovations related to endodontic procedures. Of these, 3 have been selected for early phase development, and two are currently in pre-dev pipe lines. Worked with product development teammates in Biberach, Germany to re-imagine and visualize the next generation of counter top shaping equipment and accessories. The process was managed from initial ideas through DFM and pre-production. Created, shared, and promoted the use of visual information related to endodontic procedures and the identification of all associated shareholders during each step of the process. Produced and displayed wall size posters that visually outline procedural pain points, products used, time on task, people involved, and other relevant information that would help old and new employees quickly understand the root canal process and serve to improve the general competency of the organization.

Industrial Design leadership role focused on building a design program for the company while driving ID impact on the DAQRI Smart Helmet and DAQRI Smart Glasses programs. As the lead Industrial Designer, my primary duties included: >Planning, coordinating and prioritizing end user requirements, product requirement documents, design briefs, primary and secondary task analysis, design conceptualization, CAD modeling, information architecture design, usability documentation, testing protocols and proposals, end user observational studies, site visits, and conducting interviews. >The design of world class products and product systems using iterative design techniques, usability testing, traditional sketching, sketch modeling, early prototype development, appearance model development, and lots of crazy experimentation. >Delivering end user requirements and specifications, developed personas and user scenarios, worked with concept designers to create use-case storyboards, mechanical engineers to design prototypes, and design specifications for our internal project managers and external stakeholders. > Responsible for the articulation of conceptual ideas verbally and visually emphasizing the key reasons to believe in them as a means to influence the leadership team towards a collectively desired direction. > Managing the design process on all Helmet and Glasses packaging and un-boxing initiatives driving decisions by aligning with key business leaders and assisting in estimating, resourcing, and scheduling external vendors and contractors. >Teaming up with development teams ensuring design specifications are implemented as intended and partnering with intellectual property lawyers and assistants to build on DAQRI proprietary innovations and help defend them as the company grows. >Participating with interdisciplinary teams to propose, develop and build equity around branding and design guidelines for the collective DAQRI product portfolio.

Developed Sleep Apnea products and accessories including wearable technologies, masks, headgear, CPAP accessories, bags, and associated packaging and marketing collateral. Hands on prototyping and appearance model development. Emersive year long study into the world of Obstructive Sleep Apnea to gain better user empathy. Color, pattern, and trend research for Philips' Home Healthcare Portfolio. Worked directly and collaboratively with Patient Interface Research and Development engineering teams to bring forward the next vision for OSA therapy. Lead Designer on the DreamWear under the nose nasal mask, winner of 3 design awards and recently voted the #1 CPAP mask by actual CPAP users. Lead Designer on the Wisp nasal mask product line, currently Philips' best selling minimal contact nasal mask offering to date. Designer on Wisp Pediatric Nasal Mask, winner of HME Business 2015 New Product of the Year Award.

Managed and directed all product design related deliverables for new and ongoing projects within 3M’s Consumer and Office Business’, Home Care Division including entire US Scotch-BriteTM product portfolio, o-Cel-oTM cleaning products, and ScotchTM pet hair and dander removal products. Using 6 Sigma product development architecture and Strategic Design methodologies, products and product lines were developed in collaboration with internal design resources and both national, and international external design consultancies. Primary responsibilities included the introduction, promotion, and development of holistic value added design strategies to existing product families and developing new breakthrough product concepts leveraging 3M‘s key assets, intellectual property, and leadership position within technology, engineering, and consumer markets.

Designed a line of pet products for a high-end table and glassware company. Ideative process lead to various dog dish and water bottle concepts. Applied Gaia & Gino’s design sensitivities while adding personal influences into the final design.

An internship opportunity that enabled direct client collaboration, consultations with ergonomists, idea and concept generation, brand and materiality research, rendering and modeling of concept champions for client presentations. Primary clients included Fellowes and a confidential high end kitchen and bathroom appliance company.

Edited educational content and provided quality assurance, performance, and functionality testing for several robust educational products including the LeapPad Stylus, Turbo Twist, Vocabulator, and iQuest handheld. Regressed all bugs and completed thorough performance testing. Prepared and maintained internal database used for tracking the QA process from initial application analysis to specific solutions for bug and enhancement requests. Worked directly with the development team to recommend alternatives and subsequent fixes. Recommended ergonomic alternatives for future product cycles.

International sports marketing and promotions start up specializing in the manufacturing, and customization of hand stitched soccer and volley balls for corporate and organizational promotions. Individual panels screen printed flat before stitching. Balls positioned as rolling promotional mediums that align a company to the wholesome sports of soccer and volleyball. Position required generating sales through direct proposals, brokering business deals, and working as a liason between the overseas manufacturer and the clients. Art specification, quality standards, and time critical deadlines were just some of my primary responsibilities. Past clients include: Charles Schwab, SITE SIM Technology, Goodys.