My Story...

I consider the beginning of my career, starting way back as a junior in high school, when I visited the Rochester Institute of Technology design department. Having grown up as the grandson of an Architect, and son of a Technology Education teacher, I was surrounded by art, design and technology. Upon seeing the Senior Industrial Design exhibit, I knew right away what I wanted to tackle, not only in college, but for a living.

Design, especially product design, combined my love of dreaming up new and creative solutions to solve everyday problems, with real world applications. Having a great love of technical drawing, art, and technology I felt right at home exploring the design process.

Now, having worked at various companies, and in various roles, I know I will always want to create. One of the things I enjoy most about this field is that there is always something new, a new challenge, a new process, a new type of product.

When I work with team members be they fellow designers, marketing, development or sales. I strive for the following:

• Design is not creating art. Do not create product for me, or you, create for the consumer, if what you have created isn't adding value to their lives, don't do it.
• Share your reasons. Engage team members in your thoughts behind your design, it will provide new insights and challenge your reasoning.
• Seek feedback, don't shun it. The first day of my first Industrial Design class we were hit with the old adage, "you need to be willing to kill your babies". This of course is meant to get through young designers heads that, no design is perfect. Accept it. Use feedback to figure out what could be better.
• Learn something new every day. It doesn't need to be big; it can even be learning something new about yourself. The more you take in, the more you can combine into great new concepts.
• Find the really smart people and ask them questions. No one knows everything, there are experts all around you. Engage with them, share with them, and pick their brains. When you are open about what you don't know, are eager to learn and share your successes, everyone wins.

If you are interested in learning more about industrial, product, interface, video game, or footwear design, feel free to leave me a comment below. If you have any questions about my background or work, please drop me a line as well.

Now go out and try something new,

- Keith Fudalik