Daniel Chu

Formed my own consultancy and design studio to undertake multidisciplinary projects ranging from industrial and packaging design to interior design. Collaborated on the Caddytrek compact golf caddy, the only robotic wheeled golf club cart that automatically follows the golfer around the course.

My skillset expanded at Qins, where design as a process throughout the value chain became apparent to me. My initial focus was in product design and sourcing, but within a short while I rose to become Industrial Design and Manufacturing Manager, in charge of every aspect of the product lifecycle. Not only traditional product development, but supplier assessment and selection, pricing negotiation, production scheduling and quality control. Integrated new product criteria, such as product safety and sanitation standards, which grew our markets. I managed a multidisciplinary team while creating a number of industry design innovations, such as more functional milk and cream dispensers for Starbucks and a space-saving tea urn in wide use at McDonald’s, Panera, and worldwide in coffee shops. My management and innovation helped drive company revenues to $60M from $35M.

Patents Pending:
Beverage Dispensing Flow Control Device and Method Thereof
Graduated Level Indicator of Liquid in an Opaque Beverage Container

Started boutique design studio with a fellow designer to continue expanding our experience and brainstorm ideas and innovations. We worked on a number of human-computer interface (HCI) projects including a game controller for Mattel, an electronic pill dispenser, medical tools and a virtual computer headset similar to what we now know as Google Glass.

Hired to redesign specialized medical instruments used for spinal support and reconstruction. Focused on developing computer-based tools and 2D/3D modeling techniques for instrumentation device design. My knowledge of marketing was put to use in creating and maintaining the company’s Web assets and introducing Flash and HTML innovations. I also designed and managed the company’s trade show exhibitions.

I developed skills in competitive product assessment and market research techniques, which were instrumental in developing my career focus: how to make products better. I worked in collaborative teams with designers, engineers and marketing people on consumer electronics products, where I learned about design impact, consequences, and meeting deadlines. Clients included HP, Mitsubishi, Toshiba and EFI.