David Olsen
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About
Transportation design leader with product quality expertise in managing OEM production vehicle programs, directing cross-functional teams, and delivering award-winning automotive solutions.
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Education
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BS Transportation DesignArt Center College of Design2002 - 2007
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Industrial DesignWestern Washington University2000 - 2002
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Experience
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Studio Design QualityIrvine, CADec 2025 - Present (6 months)• Led final design appearance reviews and approvals of exterior, interior, and adventure products.
• Oversaw vehicle color, gloss, and grain harmony reviews for vehicle launch.
• Established design variation boundaries with cross-functional engineering and supplier teams to maintain original design intent for production. -
Lead DesignerChicago, ILJul 2011 - Jun 2025 (13 years 11 months)Responsible for exterior and interior designs within International Trucks and IC Bus. Managed joint venture projects with Mahindra, CAT, JAC, GM and parent company TRATON (Volkswagen AG).
Active designer on:
2023 CE Bus Exterior & Interior (production)
2022 MV Series Exterior (production)
2019 eMV Electric Truck (concept truck)
2018 Chevrolet 5500HD Exterior (production)
2018 CV Series Exterior & Interior (production)
2016 LT Series Exterior (production)
2016 CATALIST Super Truck Exterior and Interior (showtruck)
2016 HX Series Exterior (production)
2016 LoneStar Exterior Refresh (production)
2013 ProStar Horizon Exterior (showtruck)
2013 ProStar Sleeper Interior (production) -
Contract DesignerSeattle, WAJun 2007 - Jun 2011 (4 years)Contract designer in a specialized design group responsible for all production and concept Kenworth heavy duty trucks. Collaborated on projects with Peterbilt and DAF Trucks.
Active designer on:
2013 T880 Exterior and Interior (production)
2012 T680 Exterior and Interior (production)
2010 T700 Exterior (production)
2009 T470 Exterior (production)
2009 T440 Exterior (production)
2008 C500 Exterior (production) -
Contract DesignerSuzukiPasadena, CASep 2006 - Oct 2006 (1 month)Contract designer assigned to conceptualize new design directions for Suzuki’s utility ATV and side by side divisions. Delivered a side by side two person ATV and a pickup truck oriented side by side.
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Design InternVolvo Car CorporationCamarillo, CAJun 2006 - Aug 2006 (2 months)Proposed a new Open Utility Truck category to expand on Volvo’s model lineup. Presented Bunkspeed model and 1:12 scale SLA model that integrates an extendable bed feature.
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Design InternToyotaHachioji, JapanSep 2005 - Nov 2005 (2 months)Designed and built 1:5 scale compact commuter car for Gen Y. This vehicle uses all-wheel-drive technology inspired by Toyota’s rally history and incorporates innovative opening apertures.
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Design InternPACCARSeattle, WAApr 2004 - Jul 2004 (3 months)Developed concept sketches for an aerodynamic semi-truck that could achieve 10 mpg and proposed facelift designs on a 1:1 scale clay Kenworth W900 truck.
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Awards
2025 27 Patents pending on International HV Series Truck
2024 5 Patents on IC Bus CE Series
2021 7 Patents on International MV Series Truck
2017 5 Patents on International HX Series Truck
2016 9 Patents on International LT Series Truck
2016 5 Patents on International CATALIST Super Truck
2015 Kenworth T880 ATD Commercial Truck of the Year
2013 4 Patents on International Horizon Concept Truck
2013 Kenworth T680 Industrial Design Society of America IDEA Finalist
2013 Kenworth T680 ATD Commercial Truck of the Year
2011 Kenworth T700 ATD Commercial Truck of the Year
2011 1st Place Auto(r) Design Competition
2007 Berman Auto & Design Competition Finalist
2007 Lotus Senior Project displayed at L.A. Auto Show
2007 Art Center Scholarship
2006 MINI project featured in MINI International Magazine
2005 Art Center Student Gallery
2005 Art Center Williamson Gallery -
Affiliations
Art Center Alumni
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Industries
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Skills
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Elsewhere on the Web
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On Coroflot@davidjolsen, member since 2010
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Following 6
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Followers 26
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