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Collegiate Assistant Professor
Benjamin Kirkland
Blacksburg, VA
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About
I am an experienced industrial designer and design educator with an eye for detail. Many years of experience teaching the next generations of industrial designers through studios, human factors, visualization, and CAD. Able to guide a team through rapid growth and extreme challenges including custom fabrication solutions, tight deadlines, and staff interactions. Knowledgeable of materials and manufacturing practices. Excellent Solidworks modeler, with attention to component specifications and visual communication. Able to conceptualize through hand sketches, computer renderings, and verbal dialogue. Several years of fabrication experience in custom manufacturing.
Also a bonsai fanatic and content creator of Appalachian Bonsai. -
Education
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Master of Science in Architecture Industrial DesignVirginia Polytechnic and State University2018 - 2019Master's Thesis - VOODIO: Proposal for an Online Video Content Creation Tool Master of Science in Architecture with a focus on utilizing videography for industrial design education, defended December 2019
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Bachelor of Industrial Design Industrial DesignAuburn University1998 - 2003
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Experience
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Instructor of DesignBlacksburg, VAAug 2022 - Present (3 years 10 months)Teaching human factors, Design Visualization, and ID undergraduate studios for the VT Industrial Design program. Studios focus on design research, branding, concept development, iteration, and prototyping. Professional soft skills are stressed, such as presentations and professionalism. Academic interests Critical & Speculative design thinking, and building empathy for the human condition regarding design problems.
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Adjunct Instructor of DesignBlacksburg, VAJan 2020 - Aug 2022 (2 years 7 months)Teaching human factors, SolidWorks, and ID undergraduate studios for the VT industrial design program with in-person and online teaching experiences. Studios focus on design research, concept development, iteration, and prototyping. Professional soft skills are stressed, such as presentations and professionalism. Academic interests include videography for online education, critical & speculative design thinking, and building empathy for the human condition regarding design problems.
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Lead DesignerFloyd, VASep 2014 - Jul 2018 (3 years 10 months)Implementing new design practices and methods for refined and efficient product development. Work scheduling for multiple design and engineering staff. Reviewing of all design documents to ensure quality. Guide coworkers, vendors, and clients in the solution of problems. Advise Sales, Production, Procurement and Management through project. Hiring and mentoring of staff. Facilitating interdepartmental communication. Collecting data to visualize progress, address issues and forecast changes.
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Lighting Designer/FabricatorFloyd, VAJul 2008 - Sep 2014 (6 years 2 months)Solidworks modeling of custom light fixtures. Creation of manufacturing documents. Facilitating vendor quotes. Fabrication of light fixtures from start to finish. Liaison between Design and Production departments. Product installations. Adviser to sales.
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Designer/FabricatorFloyd, VAJul 2006 - Jul 2008 (2 years)Created of heavy timber frame structures through AutoCAD HSB and Cadworks. Advised architects, general contractors, engineers, and timberwrights in planning of structures. Generated and modified .bvn files for CNC routing of timbers. Hand chiseled timbers into mortise-&-tenon construction beams. Organized components to facilitate easy location on-site. Raised timber frame structures in multiple states.
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Affiliations
IDSA
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Industries
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Skills
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Elsewhere on the Web
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On Coroflot@brkirkland22, member since 2005
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