Award winning Industrial Designer teaches Rhino and Industrial Design. Taught college / designed for Michael Graves. Can help your startup learn DIY product development through CAD and 3D printing. 

Learn more about Scott

• 1) Can you tell us about your first experiences with 3D modeling and Industrial Design?

  I was a high school student visiting an open house at the College of Wooster, where I would eventually earn my BA in Studio Art. I stopped by the Physics department to check it out and they had a NeXT computer. In the early 90s NeXT was 100% the coolest computer out there. NeXT was founded by Steve Jobs while he was on hiatus from Apple. The NeXT logo was designed by Paul Rand and the computer itself was designed by Hartmut Esslinger; two absolute design legends. One of the professors was showing us a model of a "4 dimensional donut" (4D Torus.) It can only exist in 4 dimensions so I have yet to model it.

• 2) What is the technological evolution that has marked you most and what will be, in your eyes, a turning point in this field?

  Small innovative companies are thriving. This is due to increased access to small factories, 3D printing for prototyping and actual products, direct marketing access to consumers via crowdfunding and Instagram, and on-demand fulfillment services. As robotics in manufacturing also becomes accessible, access to small factories will become even more affordable and more evenly distributed across the globe. I've seen something that was predicted by my design professors come true over the course of my career.

• 3) Explain your expertise, your interest in it and, more broadly, its importance in the industrial design world.

  My core interest is in form, aesthetics, material usage, etc. as I studied sculpture while pursuing my liberal arts degree. The practical application of this is that I am extremely good at creating products that stand out and use materials in a way that enhances perceived value. I understand manufacturing very well as I have had a really broad range of products produced. I am absolutely obsessed with manufacturing techniques.

• 4) Do so-called 'visionaries', such as Bill Gates, Steve Jobs and Mark Zuckerberg inspire you or do you have other role models?

  Steve Jobs stands out amongst tech CEOs especially for obvious reasons. He always puts the user first and used his marketing talents to push tech forward in user centered ways that the other two did not. I admire Jasper Morrison for his commitment to minimal design that always centers user comfort. He creates beautiful objects but they are always
  simple, humble and useful.

• 5) Provide a valuable anecdote related to your subject or your days at school.

  Before I was in design school I attended an industrial design conference in NYC. I only remember one of the speakers. I enjoyed hearing him speak about his work, but regarding the future of the field he was a real wet blanket. He was convinced that because big box stores were starting to design and manufacture their own products, industrial design was doomed. I was annoyed but undeterred.
  
  What actually happened was that Target and other brands embraced design and democratized it. This proved to retailers that consumers would pay more for good design. Now traditional brands compete with private label (store brands) at different price points and consumers benefit.

• 6) What would you say to an uncomfortable person in front of a screen who says that "CAD is too complicated"?

  I haven't had a student yet that wasn't able to learn the basics. I'm a very patient person and I really enjoy breaking things down and helping people solve problems. I've worked with people who have never touched CAD, design students, and also design professionals. There is a big difference between watching 50 youtube videos to figure out one small thing you're stuck on and having a tutor. Googling a specific issue you are having can feel overwhelming. I've been doing this for 23 years, I've probably made that mistake already.

• 7) What are your other passions, related or non-related to design?

  - Aquascaping. Strictly aspirational at this point. This one will have to wait until my kids stop sticking their arms into the aquarium.
  
  - Trying to make just one room in my house look like the ones in Dwell Magazine. I feel like Don Quixote.
  
  - Post Minimalist Sculpture
  
  - Swing dancing aka Lindy Hop (that's how I met my wife)
  
  - Furniture and lighting design both modern and vintage
  
  -Listening to the song "Perfect Day" by Lou Reed with my two 5 year olds.

• 8) What makes you a Superprof in Rhino?

  I am enthusiastic, patient and I've been a working industrial design professional for over two decades. Throughout my career, I have been using Rhino as my primary CAD tool and I have taught Rhino and Design courses at the college level.