Resumé

Curriculum Vitae

Profile
Having qualified as a Product Designer in 1986, I have over eighteen years of experience and a portfolio of diverse design work, which has given me a thorough knowledge of many different materials and product types. A high percentage of these designs are now production items because the designs are attractive, practical, cost effective solutions to a problem, (in one case the design enables a saving of £1,000.00 per day in production costs.) The work requires an ability to work to tight timescales and be skilled in handling projects from concept through to completion, or any individual stage as required.

Skills that I offer: -

·Concept ideas
·Mechanism designs
·Moulding designs
·Technical CAD drawings
·Rendering
·Block / Prototype models
·Component / material sourcing
·An experienced outside perspective of the product proposed
·Appropriate styling
·A broad design expertise, knowledge of materials, build techniques, finishes
·Checking of the components manufactured
·Liaison with clients and manufacturers.

This results in:
·An easier product to sell
·Quality products that are attractive and can command a higher value
·In many cases reduced manufacturing costs
·Ease of installation and servicing
·Better performance

Career History
Senior Product Designer 2007 - present
Responsible for all the new Charnwood stoves designs released since I joined the company of AJ Wells & Sons I see designs from concept sketches to production and program the laser cutting and folding machinery. My lastest design was was expected to sell 1K units in the first year and has so far sold 2K in the first 5 months. Apparently, winning sales from competitors companies. It has also proved to be the most efficient stove the company manufactures.

Senior Product Designer Sept 98 – 2007
The company manufacture and market fittings for sailing yachts, specialising in mechanical devices. Since September 1998 I have worked on the majority of the designs that have been developed and have been responsible from concept sketches through to production of new products. In 2002 more new products were introduced than previously had ever been completed in a single year by the company. Experience in manufacturing tools in China helped instigate the introduction of having tools made in China and then brought back to the UK for production of the moulded components. I visited our supplier in China to hand over the final drawings and clarify the design with the toolmakers.

All my designs are now developed, rendered in 3D and 2D drawings produced using Solidworks. Careful redesign of some products has saved up to 40% of production costs and improved performance.

Freelance Design Consultant Aug 96 – Sept 98 London & Isle of Wight
Designs include an LCD screen holder, a paper cutting device for a printer, a graphics project, model making of a full size aircraft seat, a speaker/alarm clock, a pushchair, a custom engine control system, a switch system for BT and a set of drawings for Southampton University.

Technical Advisor & Design Feb 96 - Aug 96 Relectronic-Remech Singapore
Based in Singapore, work involved travelling throughout the Far East where I inspected damaged equipment and advised the insurance industry on the alternative courses of action, financial viability and cost of restoration of the damaged equipment. Sole client contact during many projects.
·Inspection of damaged industrial equipment.
·Reports detailing damage.
·Quotations for reinstatement of equipment.
·Oversee restoration of damaged machinery.
·Arranged design and production of company brochures.
·Answered technical queries from the insurance companies.
·Organised a new company brochure
·Arranged new field service equipment for the technicians

Freelance Design Consultant Oct 93 - Feb 96 London
·Designed a signage system for Woolwich town centre.
·Designed products ranging from air-conditioning units to automotive parts.
·Detailed presentation drawings of yacht layout and details.

Senior Designer Jan 93 - Oct 93 Schmidt UK Peterborough
Employed as a Senior Designer, I worked with a small group of engineers to design and build a prototype successfully in eight months. I also solved a number of design problems on the existing machines that were in production at the time.
·In control of overall appearance of a new 8 tonne street sweeping vehicle.
·Designed the hopper, filter system and pickup mechanism.
·Arranged manufacture of components both from outside companies and in-house workshops.

Freelance Design Consultant March 89 - Jan 93
London
·Worked in association with a colleague, Mr Colin Marsh. We designed many products primarily for use in the alarm industry.
·Designed other items such as furniture and heavy industrial equipment.

Sales Consultant July 88 - March 89 Keymat Technology Ltd London
·Established contact with clients and promoted the product.
·Responsible for all custom made keyboards.
·Organised exhibitions both in UK and Europe.

Designer / Design Engineer Mid 86 - July 88 PDD Ltd
London
·Worked on a variety of projects ranging from a child’s toy to part of a missile system.
·Assisted in the design of a range of products for a new ‘sister’ company Keymat Technology Ltd

Student 83 -86 Ravensbourne College
SE London
·Obtained a 2:1 BA Hons degree in Industrial Design. Worked in the vacation with Mr Colin Marsh (Product design consultant). ‘Thesis on the development of Yacht Interiors’

Field Service Engineer 81 - 83 Strainstalls Ltd Isle of Wight
·Installed stress analysis equipment and operated associated electronic equipment throughout the UK.

Engineer 80 - 81 Airwave Gliders Ltd
Isle of Wight
·Designed and built many of the machines for manufacturing the gliders.
·Helped set up and run a workshop initially producing 20 gliders per month.

Draughtsman 78 -80 Strainstalls Ltd
Isle of Wight
·Learnt technical drawing skills whilst drawing equipment produced by Strainstalls for stress analysis.
·Worked in various departments of the company, which taught me about materials and production techniques.
·Attended a course on mechanical and production engineering at the local technology college.

Born: 14th May 1959 Age 46
Status: Married
Son born 18th Jan 2005

Qualifications:
·MCSD (Member of the Chartered Society of Designers since 1990).
·BA Hons Industrial Design, 2:1. Ravensbourne College of Art and Design1986.
·Seven ‘O’ Levels.

Miscellaneous & Hobbies:
·Full car and motorcycle licenses.
·Full Commercial Offshore Yachtmaster, Powerboat level 2.
·Sailing/racing sailboats, Motorcycle restoration, Water-skiing, Snow skiing.
·Computers.

Computer Skills:
·Solidworks 3D Modelling, 2D technical drawing and rendering using Photoworks.
·2D drawing using: Microstation, Autocad light.
·Rendering using Coreldraw, Paintshop pro.
·Word-processing on Microsoft Word.
·General skills using Microsoft Office Pro packages.

Projects by Robin Minchin