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Industrial Design Leader
Simon Kwan
Hong Kong, Hong Kong
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About
Everything around us is designed — but not everything is designed well.
I'm an industrial design leader based in Hong Kong with 20+ years spanning automotive engineering through CPG / Durable Consumer Products leadership. I lead teams that ship great physical products and deliver measurable business outcomes.
My work sits at the intersection of user needs, brand, commercial goals, and manufacturing realities. I turn ambiguity into clear direction, strong concepts, and production-ready execution.
What I bring:
→ End-to-end hardware leadership — concept → DFM → supplier handoff → launch
→ Lean team management — have led teams ranging from 2 to ~20
→ Manufacturing depth — thermoplastic molding, soft-goods, metal fabrication, additive manufacturing & rapid prototyping, tooling, supplier management
→ Full-stack perspective — rooted in automotive quality engineering (DaimlerChrysler, Delphi)
→ AI-fluent workflows — GenAI integrated into design/visualization to cut cycle time and costs
Highlights:
• Head of Design at Catalyst — waterproof cases for iPhone, AirPods, Apple Watch, iPad
• Senior Design Manager at KEF — led 10 designers/engineers across KEF hi-fi speakers and GP Batteries Accessories
• Award-winning airline amenity kits — Etihad First Class (Gold), Kuwait Airways, EVA Air
• Crowdfunded and sold products at Apple Retail (JAPAC)
• Entrepreneur in Residence at Li & Fung Explorium, developing a premium lifestyle audio brand
Beyond work:
Dad to two boys (10 and 6). Always balancing creative leadership with being present at home. Also exploring passive income using design skills — happy to swap notes if you're on a similar path.
Open to: Full-time or fractional Senior design leadership (Head / Director / Principal) or Project based roles for Consumer goods, hardware, hospitality supply, transportation design, etc.
Let's connect — always up for conversations about design, manufacturing, teams, or AI in product development. -
Education
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MSD (incomplete) Industrial DesignArizona State University2002 - 2004I was enrolled in the Masters of Science in Industrial Design program within the College or Architecture and Environmental Design at ASU. This program was heavily research tracked, and my focus was on qualitative, ethnographic user research and human factors studies. Also added to my studies were courses in quantitative marketing research, experience design, and traditional industrial design studio skills in sketching, rendering, and model making. I achieved a 4.0 GPA and was on the Dean's List. While attending graduate courses, I held two Teaching Assistant positions. My responsibilities included developing course syllabi, lecture presentation, exam proctoring, grading, and general mentoring and student assistance. Due to personal circumstances, I left the program after successfully completing all of my coursework with top marks, but before completing my thesis, and as such, did not receive my degree.
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BSME Mechanical Engineering, Automotive SpecialtyKettering University1991 - 1996I received my Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Kettering University, formerly known as GMI (once General Motors Institute), which is a small, private engineering and management college located in Flint, MI. My major was automotive systems. Kettering operates as a 100% co-op educational program, meaning that for the entirety of the degree program, students must also gain real world work experience at a co-op sponsor. Academic and work semesters are 12 weeks long, with two rotations of each in a year. My co-op experience was working for General Motors Corporation, North American Operations. Some of my work experiences were: Corvette Squeak and Rattle Group at Milford Proving Grounds, Pontiac Gran Prix Assembly Quality Assurance, Vehicle Body and Systems Testing Lab, Pontiac Exterior Design Studio, Interior Color Trim and Finish Group, and Pontiac Marketing Division.
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Experience
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Head of DesignHong Kong, Hong KongOct 2022 - Feb 2026 (3 years 4 months)As the gatekeeper for all brand and product assets for Catalyst, I was tasked to develop concepts and execute NPD across our range of rugged tech lifestyle accessories according to annual roadmaps and innovation initiatives towards new markets and customers. As creative lead, I also managed and mentored a small team of product and visual design professionals both internal and contractual. Working closely with both marketing and product development teams, I also proactively investigated unmet customer needs and designed improvements to address critical customer feedback to continuously improve our offerings. I also embraced and utilized new AI tools to improve efficiency, lower costs, and improve the diversity and engagement of visual lifestyle marketing imagery.
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Senior Design ManagerHong Kong, Hong KongDec 2021 - Sep 2022 (9 months)Leading a team of 10 industrial designers, including 2 mechanical design engineers, across a diverse range of products for both the KEF Hi-Fi audio brand (passive and active speakers, headphones, accessories, POS merchandising), and GP Batteries brand (chargers, powerbanks, flashlights, and MarComms collateral). In addition to mentoring and guiding ID, I also improved departmental systems and operations, and technical innovations around materials and supply chain.
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Co-Founder + Creative DirectorreOrientdFeb 2018 - Jan 2022 (3 years 11 months)Crafted a premium audio lifestyle brand centered around Asian culture and feminine luxury. I led all facets of branding and product design and development. Several working prototypes were produced. We also established nascent social media channels, a demo website, and a full investor pitch deck.
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Freelance DesignerKwannovationHong Kong, Hong KongJun 2018 - Dec 2021 (3 years 6 months)Design and development of various projects for local and international clients, including an award-winning airline amenity kit, a patent-pending child resistant cannabis packaging solution, an integrated rubbish + recycling + compost bin, hallux physiotherapy and strength trainer
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Senior CreativeHong Kong, Hong KongAug 2015 - Jun 2018 (2 years 10 months)Chiefly responsible for creative vision and design execution of premium airline amenity kits, with a focus on bags.
Additional Responsibilities:
- Primary product design responsibilities for retail packaging
- Lead researcher and advisor on technology and fashion trends and applications
- Creative Direction and development of amenities concepts collections for annual trade show (WTCE)
- Aesthetic and quality refinement for samples development
- Materials and construction methods innovation and development for bags
- Creation of sales and marketing presentations
- Sales support at trade shows and customer meetings -
Freelance DesignerSimonWorksShanghai, ChinaAug 2012 - Jun 2015 (2 years 10 months)The world is a big place full of exciting opportunities! As a product designer, I have the pleasure of collaborating with other people and businesses to develop new ideas to win business, improve customer experience, and increase revenue.
Some of the projects I designed:
- STAQ - modular mobile power and entertainment system (http://www.staqon.com)
- The Mia Case - World's first iPhone makeup palette and wallet case (http://miacase.com) -
Co-FounderShanghai, ChinaJan 2013 - May 2015 (2 years 4 months)Qaramel brand was created on Apple's request to sell the successfully Kickstarted SIMPLcase into Apple retail stores in APAC region
The SIMPLcase, is a minimalist iPhone case that:
- Discreetly and safely stores SIM cards and the iPhone SIM eject tool
- Can use any standard credit card as a kickstand for hands free iPhone use -
Product Designer and OwnerPodKit WatchAug 2012 - Oct 2012 (2 months)First attempt at crowdfunding independent product design effort on Kickstarter: http://kck.st/OIMag4
Despite positive feedback from backers, the campaign was cancelled with important lessons learned:
- timing is critical - especially for accessories
- social media relationships must be organic and require investment and time to build
- it's better to be good and fast than slow and perfect
- focus on one product at a time to reduce risk and consumer confusion
Lessons learned from PodKit Watch helped the success of my next project, SIMPLcase. -
Director of Product DevelopmentGrotto Design CreationsMar 2011 - Feb 2012 (11 months)Grotto Design Creation's art tiles and modernized Chinese motif decals and house ware gifts and accessories have been sold all over the world, and received numerous design awards and praise from the likes of Elle Decor China.
With an eye towards the growing China domestic market, Grotto began to develop new collections of interior decor and lifestyle products with beauty and innovation equaling those of their original line of products.
Grotto's main focus now is designing and producing several collections of fashion bags & accessories for a family of Chinese women's fashion brands.
Key Responsibilities:
- Overall responsibility for successful development of collections of fashion lifestyle and home décor products and accessories
- Lead designer for products and retail packaging
- Manage, develop, and grow internal and external design resources
- Manage and assist in product sourcing efforts -
Creative Director - AsiaWessco InternationalMar 2008 - Mar 2011 (3 years)During my three years with WESSCO International, I helped to incubate and develop the product design competency. My many responsibilities included:
- Product development and creation of annual collections of travel amenity, guest & passenger comfort, and service ware products
- Operational management and execution of semi-annual trade shows
- Management of WESSCO brand identity
- Creation of collateral materials (presentations, brochures, etc) for Sales & Marketing support
- Publication and submission of project bid proposals
Several of my product designs have been instrumental in securing supply contracts with a number of major airlines, including Etihad Airways and Delta Airlines. -
Director of Product DevelopmentTomberlin Product GroupMar 2007 - Dec 2007 (9 months)I was employed as a freelance consultant for TPG. In the role of Director of Product Development, I was responsible for all aspects of product development across 4 different product categories: ATVs, youth ride on toys, scooters, and off road go karts (aka fun karts). As TPG's key technical manager in China, I was directly involved on all levels, from strategic product conceptualization with the executive management team to product and manufacturing quality improvements with our suppliers.
Key Responsibilities:
- Design new product styling, structural elements, and technical specifications for motorsports and powered toys (off-road go-karts, ATVs, Scooters, electric ride on toys)
- Creation of prototypes and development of manufacturing tools, working directly with Chinese factory partners in Zhejiang and Jiangsu provinces
- Design and implement rigorous testing and validation of new products and engineering design changes for existing products to verify system and component durability and safety
- Examine and verify product specs satisfy legal safety standards and regulations -
Senior Product DesignerPMI / Dazon IncSep 2005 - Mar 2007 (1 year 6 months)Initially brought into the company to research the market and develop product features and improvements, I was soon made responsible for executing engineering improvements, and then new product development as well as managing a staff of 20+ Chinese engineers and technicians in the R&D department. I was also asked to support the sales and marketing dept. in working with customers on product improvements. On the production side, I was regularly involved in troubleshooting quality problems as well as developing and implementing product and process improvements.
Key Responsibilities:
- Execution of designs from concept and prototype development through to validation, testing, and start of production
- Engineering oversight of structural blue prints and engineering change documents
- Modeled, analyzed, and re-designed steering and suspension geometries and mechanical components to address durability and improve vehicle dynamics
Key Accomplishments:
- Engineered steering system geometry for Dazon Raider Extreme 1100
- Re-engineering suspension and steering geometry for Dazon Raider Sport 150D
- Re-engineered faulty wheel hub design for Dazon small off road go kart family -
Associate Industrial DesignerGravity TankJun 2004 - Sep 2004 (3 months)In this position, I had to fill many roles, such as researcher, prototyper, design, and collaborative innovation facilitator. As a researcher, I went into the field and used ethnographic research techniques to study consumers in the 'natural' environment to gain insights into their product purchase and usage behaviors. This research was then dissected and analyzed, and with the team, developed into insights which were then presented to the client. As a prototyper and designer, I physically conceptualized and modelled product designs. As an innovation facilitator, I worked directly with key decision makers within the client company in order to help then digest and then use the research insights in order to actively participate in creating actionable solution strategies for improving their products and/or services. This brief experience was a wonderful learning opportunity!
Key Contributions:
- Planned, conducted, and analyzed user-centered, ethnographic field research
- Assisted in intensive research immersion and design workshop with multibillion-dollar global clients in automotive and consumer markets
- Created rapid prototypes of design concepts using sketch models and CAD renderings -
Industrial DesignerDelphi AutomotiveSep 2000 - May 2001 (8 months)- Designed and rendered (in 2D & 3D) advanced Multimedia products in support of marketing and engineering groups
- Researched relevant technology, consumer, and market trends to identify design opportunities and provide program direction
- Resolved tooling, assembly, appearance, and NVH issues working with Korean suppliers on MPC telematics project -
Audio Systems EngineerDelphi AutomotiveMar 1999 - Sep 2000 (1 year 6 months)- Managed speaker system development and release for domestic and European customers
- Designed speaker systems specifications working between customer requirements and supplier capabilities -
Quality Engineer (Contract)Daimler ChryslerAug 1998 - Jan 1999 (5 months)- Analyzed quality trends (in real time) using warranty return tracking system to identify manufacturing and/or design related quality issues
- Performed Root Cause Analysis in design, manufacturing, and assembly
- Rapidly implemented engineering solutions -
Project EngineerSLP Engineering, Inc (Street Legal Performance)Jun 1996 - May 1998 (1 year 11 months)- Designed, released, and validated LED CHMSL for 1998 Camaro SS
- Conducted ergonomic packaging and fit studies of retrofitting Recaro seats into GM F-cars
- Produced rapid prototype mockups of design concepts for team evaluations
- Created styling and concept renderings of original vehicle designs in support of Marketing and Engineering
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Awards
Many of the products I developed have won awards and been leaders in their respective markets. My design for Etihad Airways' Women's Diamond First Class Sleepsuit was awarded the TravelPlus Gold Award for Best In-Flight Amenity. In 2016, my design for the Kuwait Air First Class Amenity Kit won the Unisex First Class category of the TravelPlus Amenity Bag Awards. I designed the Pax International Best Economy Class Award-winning EVA AIR New Premium Economy Class Overnight Kit, featuring Erno Laszlo. In 2017, my X-Form transformable toiletry bag / iPad case won the WTCE Taste of Travel Theatre Best Innovation Award. In 2018, again at WTCE Taste of Travel Theatre, I won the Fabulous Packaging Award for Galileo Watermark's OCN ocean recycled plastic cosmetics packaging.
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Affiliations
Internations, Creative Mornings
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Industries
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Skills
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Elsewhere on the Web
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On Coroflot@simonkwan, member since 2004
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Following 13
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Followers 7
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