PROJECT DESIGN MANAGER
Future Next Design, Oct 2021 - Present | Singapore, Freelance (Interim work)
My role is to execute and manage the delivery of design projects to clients from local startups and multinational companies. I am fully involved in the design process and work with cross-functional experts to develop ideas to commercialize the products. I drive projects toward success by setting the right direction, making strategic decisions, and solving technical problems. Several delivered projects are in the product pipeline and will be launched by 2025/2026.
- In collaboration with a startup, I designed and developed a series of sensors for the workplace. Due to the device's unforeseen heating issue, we took a risk and tested various solutions by trial and error within 7 days, and eventually, it was launched to the market without delay. The client managed to deploy their product to their new market in the United States.
- I designed and developed a unique lineup of space-saving furniture for a local manufacturer. As a result, the client managed to get the Design Innovation Grant successfully from SFIC (Singapore Furniture Industries Council) for R&D and production.
- I collaborated with a mechanical engineer to develop a physical transformable furniture mechanism system starting from zero. After spending more than 1000+ hours of trial-and-error with countless mockups and real-life testing. Eventually, the improved mechanism is more feasible, user-friendly, and scalable for multiple models.
- I provided external design support for one of the multinational design teams to create a new breakthrough for their new product design language. I evolved the design language by introducing unique elements with compelling stories, 2 of my concepts were chosen for the final stage of internal evaluation.
- I created a new online business model and new branding for a client who specializes in hygiene and sanitization products. Even though they are facing price competition, their sales increased by 300%, thanks to the stronger brand recognition, and my input on sales and marketing content that resonated with potential customers.
SENIOR INDUSTRIAL DESIGNER
Orcadesign Consultant Pte Ltd, March 2012 - March 2018 | Singapore, Permanent
I gained most of my valuable experience here where I accomplished numerous design projects for clients. Apart from normal industrial design projects, I was given the opportunity by my ex-design director to lead and manage New Product Innovation projects. I led the in-house design researchers, designers, and engineering team to collaborate closely with the global innovation team. I have diverse design experience developing various consumer products with my hands-on approach from research to manufacturing. As a result, several successfully launched products in the market, such as Samsung, HP, and Tupperware. Thanks to my high-quality designs, they have been recognized by several design awards, such as IF Design, Red Dot Design, and many more.
PROJECT MANAGEMENT
- Thanks to my consistent performance, I was assigned as project and design lead for projects engaged by multinational clients, such as Samsung, Panasonic, Toshiba, Tupperware, HP, Stabilo, Pigeon, and others.
- I managed multi-disciplinary internal and external teams for a total of up to 37 projects, I constantly aligned and collaborated with third-party vendors and suppliers during development. As a result, all the projects can be completed on time, without sacrificing the quality of designs.
- As a project lead, I leverage each other's strengths to enhance productivity and maximize effectiveness towards the successful completion of a project.
- Ability to present innovative concepts in compelling stories to stakeholders and gather feedback to improve.
I work efficiently by outlining the tasks, planning, prioritizing tasks, and capturing the key essences to lead the projects and achieving zero delays on projects.
- I assessed risks and challenges before and during the project start, and find pre-emptive measures (such as arranging manpower) to minimize hiccups. This is proven in most of my projects which are always completed on time.
PRODUCT INNOVATION LEAD
- I had in-charged a total of 12 New Product Innovation projects from start to finish, leading a multidisciplinary team to tackle challenging projects that may span up to 24 months.
- Conducted and participated in 10+ sessions of fruitful ethnographic consumer research in 8 countries. 18 cities: China, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, Iran, and Saudi Arabia.
- Implemented effective research methodology and toolkit to uncover unmet needs and pain points, such as in-home visits, cultural immersion, expert interviews, and focus group discussions.
- Led and set up conducive 8+ co-creation and ideation workshop sessions for clients in Suwon, London, Taiwan, China, Malaysia, and Singapore.
- Delivered significant impacts to clients by defining new consumer insights from research data and pinpointing the potential opportunities that are unique to the markets.
- Validated 30 ideas and 36 concepts in the focus group discussion and got feedback to improve the concepts further.
- Taking the role of Design Facilitator for 6+ sessions of the Design Thinking Workshop, I had the opportunity to guide and engage participants from SPRING Singapore, Design Singapore, MOH Singapore, and other organizations.
INDUSTRIAL DESIGNER
- I enjoy taking action instead of talking, I am fully hands-on in the New Product Development process from end-to-end to drive the projects toward success.
- I have designed 12 award-winning products from Zero to the market, such as Samsung AddWash washing machines and HP OfficeJet printers.
- As I constantly challenge myself and the team to produce novelty ideas with Unique Selling Points (USP) and Points of Differentiation (POD). I initiated and designed an ideation + brainstorming toolkit for the in-house design team. As a result, this helped the team achieve productive and innovative results on many projects.
- Designed and implemented consistent look-and-feel of design language for a series of products that elevated the brand image to the next level, those designs are reflected in my portfolios - such as HP and Rentokil-Initial.
- Apart from creating a highly aesthetical design, I always approach a new project with empathic design in order to create practical and thoughtful user-centric solutions that resonated with users, such as the rice spoon of Tupperware Blossom Serveware, it can rest gracefully and securely on the cover’s handle.
- Co-developed concepts with in-house and external engineers and experts, we solved countless technical design issues together, and sometimes I have to make strategic decisions to move the projects forward.
Developed and fabricated countless proof-of-concept, mockups, and prototypes for the user and size testing in a real-world environment. The functional prototypes with realistic cosmetic finishes will be presented to stakeholders in order to demonstrate the concept physically.
- During brainstorming and ideation, I always infuse my business sense and imagine the product concepts from different perspectives and ask the right question, such as from the salesman and end-user point of view, this will greatly help designers to improve the product concepts occasionally.
- I learned & developed new skills and knowledge from different projects and experts, such as knowledge of tooling and manufacturing processes, business innovation, and project management. With this experience, I trained and guided junior designers and researchers to pick up new skills.
INDUSTRIAL DESIGNER
Orcadesign Consultant Sdn Bhd, Feb 2007 - Feb 2012 | Johor Bahru, Permanent
After graduating, I joined Orcadesign as an Industrial Designer. Here, I have learned design and engineering skills set from senior designers and engineers. I also take in-charged of several projects for new product development. I participated in brainstorms that generated fresh ideas and contributed to design direction from project initiation. I can generate ideas with great sketches, CAD modeling and renderings, physical mock-ups, and design solutions. I constantly collaborate and support my co-workers (designers and engineers), and manufacturing partners to identify problems, solve design issues, and preserve design intent throughout a project.
DESIGN ENTREPRENEUR
DJ&CO LIFESTYLE (Startup), May 2018 - Sept 2021 | Johor Bahru, Singapore, Self-employed
With my knowledge and expertise in design thinking, I put that into action by created a startup focused on space-saving furniture. As an expert in small space, this startup aims to provide holistic solutions to users with space problems. My entrepreneurial spirit pushes me to be hands-on in business operations, sales and marketing, furniture manufacturing, interior design, and actively engage with customers. As a result, I have gained valuable experience that I can’t get from my previous job. Thanks to my team's exceptional service, my business also received 5-star Google reviews from previous satisfied customers.
- I set up and managed the business operation of the FIRST Transoformable Furniture showroom focusing on innovative space-saving solutions in JB and Singapore.
- Together with my team, we strike the most major business deals successfully with Japan's biggest developers- Daiwa House.
- Created awareness and demand through sales and marketing by highlighting key benefits, and drove sales to achieve targeted quantity, sales boosted up to 200% during festive seasons.
- Completed 8 projects of user-centered Interior design for condominiums with space-saving and transformable furniture, the customers are satisfied with the thoughtful space transformation.
Industrial/Product Design Internship
Sulik Design [MdesRCA| Malaysia, May - Aug 2006
