Dan Taylor Industrial Design Portfolio Sample

D A N T A Y L O RIndustrial Design Portfolio Sample

[email protected] 425-387-5675

P R O J E C T S

Topo TableTarget researchConcept developmentFabrication

Easy MeasureUser interface designFit testingApp icon design

ImbueCollaborative product developmentPhotographyVisual presentation

2D

About

T O P O TA B L ETarget researchConcept developmentFabrication

Target researchMt. Baker Plywood held a scholarship contest to design and manufacture a product for donation to a local organization. The product would be made from a 4’ X 4’ sheet of 3/4” plywood.

I approached Loving Space Preschool in Bellingham Washington as a potential client. The small suburban school encouraged kids to learn and explore using many hands-on activities. During my initial meeting with them, they indicated that they were always in need of activity spaces that catered to many uses given their limited space.

Diversity of ideas was a major focus for the project. Convenient storage options for the staff, kitchen shelving, collapsible furniture, and mobile activities were all considered. Group critiques and further refinement narrowed the ideas down to an activity table that would teach children about topography. The shape would need to accommodate the height of an average preschool student and not be a potential hazard in a busy area.

Concept development

FabricationConstructing the table involved careful planning to fit every piece within a 4’ X 4’ build area. The pieces were CNC machined to save space and time. Sharp edges were sanded, durable mouth-friendly finishes and paints were added, and sturdy supports were integrated to prepare the table for the worst possible scenario.

Side Bottom Top

The finished product gives a facilitator freedom to re-arrange the landscape pieces into different configurations. In addition, the table can be filled with sand or other contents to enhance the play experience, which can be emptied through a convenient hole hidden under one of the landscape pieces.

The final design took first place out of the 21 designs entered in the Mt. Baker Plywood scholarship competition.

E A S Y M E A S U R EUser interface designFit testingApp icon design

User interface designEasy Measure is an app that measures distances using the iPhone’s camera, accelerometer, and a little bit of trigonometry. I approached the developer in the interest of redesigning the user interface, graphic elements, and app icon. They were thrilled.

The initial focus was creating a brand new set of interface icons that were consistent and intuitive. The icons were constantly tested against potential users for readability.

The main component of the app is the camera, so the camera’s view was treated as the dominant element with two unobtrusive graphic layers placed between it and the user.

Fit testingEasy Measure needed to be easy to open and use on the go. The main screen needed to be easy to use for a beginner but also include quick access to features for the “power user”.

Studying hand positions and other apps revealed four convenient sides of the screen to locate icons. The most commonly used tools were placed towards the top of the screen to be easily accessed by the outstretched thumb, with the very most common tools on the right side for the right handed user (majority).

The interface was consolidated into 3 major screens; the main screen, a help and settings area, and an area that would include saved measurements.

App icon designDesigning an icon that quickly conveyed the function of the app was important to the client. Utilizing the icon’s shape to form the rendering came in handy. The icon was later updated to a flatter version for iOS 7.

iOS 6 icon

iOS 7 icon

I M B U ECollaborative product developmentPhotographyVisual presentation

Collaborative product development

In order to raise funds for Western Washington University’s student chapter of IDSA, my class gathered a team of ID students to design and produce a product that would be sold locally. We hosted meetings to brainstorm with other students.

When we settled on a direction, I built a prototype and worked with two other students to design an efficient manufacturing process that me and other students would follow in order to build 130 units in two weeks.

The final product is a tea vessel which includes a strainer that magnetically connects to the inside of the lid. Tea can be brewed for as long as desired by flipping the vessel upside down.

Quality and durability were the main focus points during production. The lid is made of machined maple with multiple coats of mineral oil and wax to protect the finish.

PhotographyDuring and after production I was in charge of photographing the product for the release event and eventual Kickstarter.

Visual presentationThe release event was hosted by a local venue. After meeting with their interior designer I created a set of posters that would describe our process to customers, and a demonstration video that would be displayed at the event.

The vessels nearly sold out opening night and we were approached by two manufacturers about future production.

The main component of the app was the camera, so the camera’s view was treated as the dominant element with two unobtrusive layers of interface placed between it and the user.

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I got excited about industrial design after working in the graphic design field. Freelance work, internships, and a full-time job were helpful in gaining direct experience with clients.

A B O U TI’m Dan. I like hiking, biking, producing music, and Minecraft.

Education

Western Washington University Bachelor of Science in Industrial Design (expected June, 2016)

• Worked in a small fundraiser team that designed and developed a limited production run of a magnetic tea infusing vessel, resulting in a near sellout and interest from 3rd party manufacturers.

• Took first place in the Mt. Baker Plywood scholarship design contest.

Shoreline Community College A.A.A.S. in Graphic Design and Production Art (December, 2012)

Professional Experience

V2Works - Graphic Designer August, 2011-March, 2012; May-August, 2013

• Completed over 110 projects including web banners and print ads, datasheets, email blasts, and direct mailers.

• Conducted studio photography for client products and ads.

• Developed a guided system for a project team to uniformly clean, outline, crop, and color-correct 950 product images, resulting in significant project savings.

Rezreality Creative - Co-Founder 2007-2012

• Built a new website, logo, and graphic layout for an interior design firm.

• Designed and updated a website for a freelance painter and illustrator.

• Co-designed a logo and business cabinet for an electrical services company.

Enter The Studio - Intern Spring, 2011

• Designed logo options for multiple clients including an automotive works facility, a mobile services company, and a charity-based biking team.

• Designed website concepts for multiple clients including Hasbro, a talent agency, and Enter The Studio’s mobile game label.

V2Works - Intern Summer, 2007

• Designed a promotional mailer and worked with the entire staff on a new marketing campaign.

• Interacted by phone with a variety of clients, prospects, and potential suppliers.

• Developed a photographic inventory of client products.

Software

• Adobe: Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign, After Effects, Premiere, Dreamweaver, Soundbooth

• CAD: Solidworks, Catia

• Audio: Ableton Live

T H A N KY O U

[email protected] 425-387-5675