Chris B.
Award-winning industrial designer combines refined aesthetics with innovation to provide success
San Marcos,
United States
Global rank:
4,915
/
131,559
Skill pts: 10
About
Grew up in Northern California. My father was a mechanical engineer and prolific inventor who taught me about innovation in his fully equipped workshop in a converted horse stable.
I went to Japan when I turned 18, on invitation by Kobun Chino Otogawa to participate in an informal cultural exchange. Lived and worked with Kanjuro Shibata, bow-maker to the emperor, and Zen archery master in Kyoto for about 2 years.
Instead of returning to the US as planned, I continued across fascinating Asia for 1 year and then studied and worked in Paris, France for 7 years as a fine artist.
Then I returned to California, built on to a cabin and added a studio. Started an art and design studio and contract design service for manufacturers and suppliers to big box retailers for about 10 years.
Then I moved to Austin, Texas and worked for Philips Lighting as head designer, (senior manager, R+D) for 11 years, and led a design team. My designs won a number of innovation and design awards and were on the cutting edge of LED lighting, as well as extremely market-successful.
In 2017, decided to become an independent designer again, as well as an investor, (instead of moving to Boston to continue my rewarding corporate career with Philips). Since then I have been trading futures and options, and taking on design projects, as well as advising my wife with her startup business.
I'll write a book about it when I turn 80 ;-)
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I went to Japan when I turned 18, on invitation by Kobun Chino Otogawa to participate in an informal cultural exchange. Lived and worked with Kanjuro Shibata, bow-maker to the emperor, and Zen archery master in Kyoto for about 2 years.
Instead of returning to the US as planned, I continued across fascinating Asia for 1 year and then studied and worked in Paris, France for 7 years as a fine artist.
Then I returned to California, built on to a cabin and added a studio. Started an art and design studio and contract design service for manufacturers and suppliers to big box retailers for about 10 years.
Then I moved to Austin, Texas and worked for Philips Lighting as head designer, (senior manager, R+D) for 11 years, and led a design team. My designs won a number of innovation and design awards and were on the cutting edge of LED lighting, as well as extremely market-successful.
In 2017, decided to become an independent designer again, as well as an investor, (instead of moving to Boston to continue my rewarding corporate career with Philips). Since then I have been trading futures and options, and taking on design projects, as well as advising my wife with her startup business.
I'll write a book about it when I turn 80 ;-)
Experience
- Owner, designer Boissevain Design · Jan 2017 – Present 9 yrs 4 mos San Marcos, TX, USA Contract industrial design, consulting
- Head Designer, Senior Manager R+D Philips Lighting · Nov 2005 – Jan 2017 11 yrs 2 mos San Marcos, TX, USA Head designer, managed team of designers and led development of LED lighting projects and product families. Developed design languages, strategies, research.
- Co Owner BZ Design Studio · Jan 1995 – Sep 2005 10 yrs 8 mos Mountain View, CA, USA Co owner of Design and Art studio. Designed and manufactured limited production modern furniture, lighting, architectural elements. Contract designed on a stipend and royalty basis for manufacturers, suppliers for big box retailers.
Education
- Philips Education Various corporate cerificates, training and workshops, Value proposition, Segment marketing, Ethics, Psychology, Communication, Management, Safety 2009 – 2016 Online, on site and remote workshops, employee development education provided by Philips
- Solid Works Provider Advanced Surface Modeling, 3D Modeling 2015 – 2015 Training provided by Philips and Solid Works supplier on site.
- L'Ecole Nationale des Beaux Arts Auditeur Libre (free student), Drawing, painting 1980 – 1984 Studied figure drawing, painting
Stats
6 followers, 0 following
Age: 68
Joined: September 8, 2019
Area of Expertise
Languages
English Native or bilingual proficiency
French Professional working proficiency
Spanish Limited working proficiency
Location
San Marcos, TX, United States