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PORTFOLIO
Experience

EXPERIENCE

At the heart of everything I do as a designer is a desire to solve problems, creating innovative solutions that aim to enhance the users experience. I have worked in a variety of design roles each focusing on different parts of the design process, ranging from initial concepts and prototype creation through to DFM. I am looking to continue my career as a Product Designer in a highly innovative and forward thinking company.

PRODUCT DESIGNER: GAMES WORKSHOP
DECEMBER 2016 - SEPTEMBER 2018

 

My role focuses on the design and development of new products, blending functionality with a strong brand aesthetic to create products that enhance the consumer’s experience. This involves building on existing product ranges or using consumer insight to identify new product areas. My role centres on the ability to rapidly generate concepts and prototypes coupled with a good working knowledge of the design for manufacturing requirements of the product. This is built upon a comprehensive knowledge of manufacturing techniques with a particular emphasis on injection moulding. 

 

By using a variety of techniques I identify problems or white spaces in the range. After identifying a problem I take the project from initial 2D-3D sketch concepts, through to detailed design development and the creation of a final prototype. Once approved I produce technical documents, supplier CAD files (taking into account the design for manufacture of the product), structural packaging specifications and the supplier brief; allowing suppliers to produce a quote and begin tooling. 

 

During the tooling process I address questions and provide solutions to specific manufacturing issues the supplier has identified, as well as feeding back on manufacturing samples sent by the supplier. Once the final production samples are sent through I act as a key part of the approval process to assess the production samples and give the final design sign off before the product is put into full production.

FREELANCE DESIGNER: ALPACA DESIGN
AUGUST 2016 - PRESENT

 

As a freelance Product Designer I have worked with clients on a range of projects, creating new product concepts for iterative testing to quickly determine which routes to carry forward. Once chosen I continue through to concept development and refinement of the approved designs for further research and user testing.  I have also worked on a range of graphic design projects for both internal and external graphic communications for a variety of business functions.

CREATIVE INNOVATION MANAGER: RPM
JULY 2015- AUGUST 2016

 

My role focused on managing all innovation projects that came into the agency as well as producing concepts that I then presented to the client. The role covered the project from conception to completion; starting with the initial client briefing, through research, concept generation and client workshops. Once the concepts had been selected and refined I briefed the design team and worked with them through the design process before presenting the final work to the client. This role was new to the business and constantly evolving. 

 

A key part of the role was to work with the head of strategy to help further expand the agencies innovation capability, developing new ways of working and building on the existing product innovation offering. This included working with the PR team to write thought leadership articles, liaising with the press and completing design challenges for publication; enabling the agency to share their innovation capabilities with a wider audience.

R&D PRODUCT DESIGNER: DIAGEO
JUNE 2014- JULY 2015

 

As part of the newly formed Exploration Team my role focused on producing concept ideas, 2D and 3D visuals, product mock ups, prototypes and test rigs; supporting teams globally by working on projects that were new to the business, finding viable solutions and presenting back to stakeholders. The role also involved supporting pipeline work over 1-3 years and inputting ideas from other areas to help build stronger products. I was also involved in briefing, liaising and working with design and creative agencies during the concept generation and consumer research phase, providing various marketing teams with design and technical advice. 

 

These skills were built upon when I worked as part of the team to redesign the Technical Innovation Centre, producing initial concepts, interviewing staff, supporting the design development and helping to form the business case to secure funding for the project. I was also heavily involved in recruiting and interviewing interns for roles in the Packaging and Exploration Teams. 

CONCEPT DESIGNER: DIAGEO
JUNE 2012- JULY 2013

 

As part of the concept development team my role allowed me to work on projects from around the world. The role included producing quick concept visuals, CAD models, renderings, engineering drawings and working prototypes; liaising with marketing teams, prototyping houses, stake holders and project managers to ensure that projects were completed on time to a high standard.

EDUCATION 

INDUSTRIAL DESIGN & TECHNOLOGY (GRADUATE 1ST CLASS BA)
LOUGHBOROUGH UNIVERSITY
SEPTEMBER 2010 - JULY 2014

EXPERTISE

BUSINESS 

Presentation

Supplier Briefing

Client Workshops

Pipeline Development

Time Management

Project Management 

Consumer Research

Project Planning 

Product Strategy

Marketing

DESIGN 

Sketching

Concept Generation

Concept Design

Design Development

Engineering Drawing

Design for Manufacture

Problem Solving

Design Briefing

Branding

Prototyping

Sketch Rendering

CAD Rendering

Packaging Design

Problem Identification 

SOFTWARE

Photoshop

Illustrator

InDesign 

Procreate

SolidWorks

Keyshot

3DS MAX (Basic)

Microsoft Office 

Sketchbook

SKETCHBOOK

ABOUT ME
Contact
In Profile Picture .jpg

ABOUT ME

I have always been passionate about sport; gymnastics, water-sports, running or cycling I am constantly looking for new challenges. This has led me to participate in a number of events such as the Vitality Half Marathons, Great South Run, Tough Guy events (2011, 2012 and 2013), the London Marathon and most recently the Nottingham Marathon. These have been great experiences and have allowed me to raise over £2000 for various charities such as Help for Heroes and The Children’s Society.  

I love traveling to new places, experiencing different cultures and meeting new people. Over the last 8 years I have had the chance to travel both personally and on business, visiting some amazing countries and working with people from different cultures and backgrounds.  

GET IN TOUCH

stuartthompsonid@gmail.com

Product Designer: Based in Bath, U.K

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