Local Legend Toys

Founder

Toronto, ON, Canada  |  June 2021 – Present

Visit: www.locallegendtoys.com

• Founded Local Legend Toys, a sports toy brand for kids.
• Created the Portanet, a 3-in-1 folding net with interchangeable QUIKFLY targets for soccer, hockey, and target practice, and featuring a second setup angle for cornhole and golf chipping.
• Launched and built an e-commerce site as well as Amazon.com storefront, stocked in independent toy stores.

CustomPro R/D

Co-Founder, Principal of Product Strategy and Design

Montreal, QC, Canada  |  September 2018 – Present

Visit: www.customprord.com

• Co-Founded CustomPro R/D, a Hockey Strategy and Industrial Design Consultancy.
• Creation of expressive, fully branded products charged with proven performance gained crafting equipment for the best hockey players in the world.
• Partnership with performance brands supplying thoughtful product strategy and innovative industrial design.
• Drive business with solutions that exude confidence, authenticity, and speak in their unique brand voice.

Warrior Sports, Subsidiary of New Balance

Industrial Designer II

Montreal, QC, Canada  |  January 2011 – August 2018

Key Projects: Covert QRL Glove Line, Covert QRL Stick Line, Dynasty Girdle

• Generate innovative new ideas and build proof-of-concept hockey equipment prototypes (pattern engineering and fabrication) for growth opportunities. 12 out of 30 current National Hockey League captains use product I designed.
• Design from concept to commercial market up to 25 hockey performance products per year across eight categories including shoulder, elbow, and shin pads, sticks, gloves and pants, bags, and technical apparel. Create detailed techpacks for vendors of graphic and product design, cushioning, 3D models for compression and injection tools, and precise material specifications to deliver professional finished goods.
• Apply advanced research methods, such as contextual inquiry and personas, to gain insight from elite athletes and guide design process, and present research and progress of both inline product and concepts at product development meetings.
• Build collaborative relationships with designers, developers, engineers, sales, management, and vendors to ensure products meet performance and business goals.
• Develop technical performance fabrics and materials with suppliers, conduct yearly market and trend research, and analyze comparable industries to keep abreast of new technology, materials, and opportunities for product innovation.

Warrior Sports, Subsidiary of New Balance

Production and Design Coordinator

Montreal, QC, Canada  |  June 2010 – December 2010

• Created custom hockey equipment modifications for elite professional athletes including specialized padding, sizing, and fit.
• Developed hands-on specialized skills and knowledge in sporting goods materials, pattern engineering, and manufacturing processes by building product every day.
• Built pricing data information of FOBs and standards by measuring material usage and timing product assembly, analyzed costing/quality implications of production variables.
• Generated training manuals and product component guides to standardize assembly and digitized new and custom patterns.

Arcestra

Graphic and Interaction Designer

Toronto, ON, Canada  |  April 2009 – June 2010

• Created branding and conceptual design for 2D/3D architectural software that allowed flat blueprints to be interacted with as fully rendered 3D models.
• Developed digital assets, interface, and visual presentation for straightforward usability.
• Analyzed input from developers, directors, and external stakeholders to refine proprietary software used to produce interactive floorplans for commercial real estate sector.

Other Half: Chinese Stem Cell Initiative

Creative Director (Volunteer)

Toronto, ON, Canada  |  January 2009 – June 2010

• Naming, brand, strategy, and design advice for a non-profit affiliate of One Match and Canadian Blood Services, educating and promoting involvement in the One Match stem cell registry and database program to the Chinese community.

Bright Innovation

Industrial Design Intern

Pittsburgh, PA, USA  |  June 2008 – August 2008

• Designed brand assets, furniture concepts using reclaimed materials, and competition entries for full-service boutique design studio.

Landscapes of Africa

Creative Lead (Volunteer)

Toronto, ON, Canada  |  August 2007

• Led the creative team and worked with other volunteers to host a summer benefit gala for the Lubango Medical Center, raising over $250 000 towards medical equipment and support.