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Creative Designer Specializing in Innovative Solutions
Frank Gonzalez Jr.
Fort Lauderdale, FL
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About
I’m a hands-on Industrial Designer with over two decades of experience turning ideas into manufacturable, user-focused products across consumer, medical, lighting, and soft goods categories. My work lives at the intersection of form, function, and feasibility grounded in deep collaboration with engineering, sourcing, and manufacturing partners across the globe.
While I’ve held leadership roles in design and product development, I’m equally passionate about rolling up my sleeves to solve complex problems and bring thoughtful, durable, and well-crafted products to life. Title is secondary to impact I’m always open to opportunities that allow me to expand my skills, collaborate with talented teams, and create products that matter.
Core Strengths:
Concept development & product strategy
Design for manufacturing (DFM/DFA)
Cross-functional collaboration across engineering, sourcing, and marketing
Made to order and high-volume manufacturing experience
Sketching, CAD (Fusion 360, SolidWorks), Adobe CC, prototyping, CMF Global vendor and production oversight (U.S., China, LatAm, Europe)
I’m driven by curiosity, craftsmanship, and the satisfaction of seeing real products in the hands of real people performing, lasting, and delighting. -
Education
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Bachelor of Fine Arts Product DesignCollege for Creative Studies
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Experience
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Principal Industrial Designer – Product & InnovationJul 2019 - Present (6 years 11 months)Fine Art Handcrafted Lighting creates artistic, exceptional fixtures blending craftsmanship, luxury materials, and unique designs.
- Led cross-functional teams in the United States, China, and South America delivering original, artistic lighting to clients such as Hilton Resorts World and University of Miami Lennar Medical Center.
- Partnered with engineering and manufacturing teams to strategically assess and enhance processes which contributed to over 8 million in additional revenue growth by reusing components and reducing carbon footprint.
- Utilized Solidworks, Keyshot, and rapid prototyping with Virtual Reality to streamline product design and shorten design approval windows. -
Global Head of Product ExperienceMiami, FLNov 2017 - Feb 2019 (1 year 3 months)Y-Not Design is a manufacturing company specializing in creating high-quality, custom promotional products.
- Directed cross-functional design teams of 12 people in the United States, India, and Mexico delivering impactful OEM promotional products for Carnival, Norwegian, and Royal Caribbean cruise lines and their subsidiaries.
- Designed custom tableware and bespoke menu design and layout for Jamie Oliver’s restaurants and Wonderland on Royal Caribbean ships.
- Strategically managed client relationships, aligning multiple stakeholders competing strategic goals to drive manufacturable design solutions. -
Manufacturing Operations Manager – Glass DivisionMiami Lakes, FLJul 2016 - Oct 2017 (1 year 3 months)- Refined operations in glass blowing, casting and the cold shop through time studies and engineering that reduced rejection rate from 25% to 5% by increasing product tolerance.
- Increased production by 20%, equivalent to nearly $12 million in product value.
- Increased production by 20% and reduced labor by 40% by implementing jigs that increased output.
- Implemented recycling effort, reduced yearly material waste by $25K. -
Lead Industrial DesignerMiami, FLNov 2015 - Jul 2016 (8 months)Work with Research and Development in creating, planning and developing prototypes for aesthetic and engineering evaluation.
• Analyze designs to identify the components for prototype development.
• Coordinate with Engineering, Glass, Metal, and Resin departments to develop components for each collection.
• Construct an internal system to visually chart the progress of multiple collections in development.
• Research new technology in lighting, and build test environments for preliminary assessments for further engineering examination.
• Daily visits to the Metal, Glass, and Resin manufacturing floor to determine the progress of components as well as aid in the development. -
Head of DesignWest Palm Beach, FLJan 2008 - Apr 2015 (7 years 3 months)Forward Industries is a company specializing in designing and manufacturing innovative products, including soft goods and smart technology solutions, for leading global brands.
- Led global design teams of 11 across the United States, China, and Switzerland, driving the development of versatile soft and hard goods for medical devices, consumer electronics, and sporting goods. Key projects included silicone diabetic cases, thermoformed fishing reel protectors, and injection-molded scanner holsters.
- Collaborated with leading brands including Lifescan, Abbott, Lilly, and BRP on OEM accessories and product development from initial concept to final product.
- Developed a versatile modular injection molded clip that gave neuropathic diabetic users freedom to use cases that met their individual needs.
- Worked closely with high-volume manufacturing vendors in China to optimize materials and processes, enhancing production efficiency and cost-effectiveness, resulting in $27 million in sales. -
Senior / Lead Industrial DesignerWest Palm Beach, FLAug 2005 - Jan 2008 (2 years 5 months)Responsible for designing carrying cases, including refinement and execution based on style, function, quality and safety.
• Developed and managed 160+ high priority projects
• Supported international sales team with client and project prospecting by creating presentations and attending meetings and trade shows across the country.
• Met regularly with vendors to discuss trends and expand material library.
• Mentored and trained all new Junior designers.
Key Project:
XM Radio / Pioneer / Samsung portable receiver In-box Case -
Junior Industrial DesignerWest Palm Beach, FLNov 2003 - Aug 2005 (1 year 9 months)Generated designs to satisfy project criteria by collaborating with senior designer and assisting in presentations.
• Conducted market research, ergonomic evaluation, sketching, and 3D models.
Key Project:
Motorola RAZR V3 In-box Leather Case -
Graphic DesignerRally Manufacturing / Intec Inc.Miami, FLApr 2003 - Nov 2003 (7 months)Graphic Designer
Collaborated on graphic design projects, including collateral design, environmental design and retail signage while cultivating client relationships.
• Designed production graphics for packages, instruction manuals, labels, and ads for video game and automotive accessories. -
Junior DesignerMiami Beach, FLMay 2002 - Apr 2003 (11 months)Key Project:
Bacardi / Clevelander Hotel
Designed the Barcardi Mojito Bar at The Clevelander Hotel in South Beach. -
Model Making AssistantDetroit, MIAug 2002 - Dec 2002 (4 months)- Maintain all shop equipment in working order.
- Assist students in learning and using equipment.
- Provide assistance to the professors during model making class -
Wood Shop AssistantDetroit, MIAug 2000 - Dec 2002 (2 years 4 months)- Maintain all shop equipment in working order.
- Assist students in learning and using equipment.
- Keeping an inventory of the materials sold in the shop.
- Provide assistance to the professors during shop class
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Industries
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Skills
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Elsewhere on the Web
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On Coroflot@frankitodesign, member since 2002
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Following 42
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Followers 12
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