Julia Aiken (Carlson)

> Inspired by the stories of children with behavioral disorders who harm themselves and others, designed and patented a series of therapeutic light fixtures for people with brain disorders.
> Conducted a review of over 500 research studies related to photobiomodulation.
> Recruited project team of neuroscientists, electrical engineers, computer scientists and clinicians to collaborate on designs.
> Directed industrial & hardware design.
> Managed the following deliverables to completion: Principal investigator identification and recruitment; research team recruitment; preparation of grant budgets & narrative; preliminary study design & documentation; prototype specification; business plan and summary financials; filed three federal grant applications in an effort to fund the development of this promising new therapy.

> Instructor of Industrial Design at Western Washington University.
> Taught Illustrator, Photoshop, 3D modeling in Rhino, and an entry-level class in machine fabrication of models and prototypes.
> Contract design of outerwear and textile prints for REI private brands.
> Freelance design of smart gloves for the US military. (Tabar/Fownes Group)
> Furniture design with a focus on medical/wellness applications. (InclineRx)
> Concept design of modern organic furniture for Modern Classics.

> Inspired by a chair lift ride in the bitter cold, designed a patented line of heated base layer.
> Crafted business plan and 5 year financial models, pitched investors.
> Managed all aspects of product development process from first sketch to finished product.
> Researched target markets and color/fabric/technology trends to create relevant designs.
> Developed patterns, color palette, fabric and trim selection, graphics and print designs.
> Top 8 gear review in Backpacker Magazine; first production run sold out in 2 weeks.

> Led the visual design of a women's snowboards, boots and bindings.
> Researched target markets and visual/fashion trends.
> Created "personas" representing the women's market.
> Developed merchandising strategy including color palettes, materials, art direction & logo treatments.
> Managed internal and external design resources.
> Appointed to leadership team charged with defining 5 year plan for women's business.

> Design and product management of women's snowboards, boots and bindings.
> Researched target markets and visual/fashion trends.
> Sketched 2D concepts in Illustrator & Photoshop.
> Built and edited 3D surface models in Rhino & Flamingo.
> Recruited freelance artists and art directed snowboard graphics.
> Worked with factories in Asia and Europe to implement designs.
> Developed "#1 women’s board under $400" (FSM '07 board test)
> Earned two $10K bonuses and a week of heli-boarding as a performance bonus.

> Responsible for mechanical & industrial design of an entry-level email appliance.
> Coordinated development of user interface, wireless keyboard and electronic "mailbox."
> Collaborated extensively with interface designers, hardware engineers and user testing.
> Earned the designation "senior" by delivering 100% production-ready components on time, under budget.

> Wrote how-to book on snowboarding for women with celebrity coaches, a Mad Libs section, and a Make Your Own Adventure ending published my McGraw-Hill.
> The book sold out in less than a year and went to a second printing.
> Served as Head Coach of Women Only Snowboard Camps at Sugarbush, VT.

> Coordinated the product design research program for hardgoods.
> Organized and hosted focus groups with team riders and reps in the US, Europe & Japan.
> Wrote feedback reports used to drive the design of new products.
> To quote former CEO Tom McGann, I was "intimately involved" in the creation of Burton's first women's hardgoods collection, which doubled revenues and solidified Burton's reputation as a well-respected women's brand.
> Managed the development of over 100 industry-leading snowboard graphics.
> Implemented 4 color printing process in 5 international factories.
> These efforts were rewarded with one of the first-ever full page employee ads in Transworld Snowboarding Business, a picture of me snowboarding on the Matterhorn with the caption: "Product development coordinator Julia Carlson is like a Director of Change. If you want something just a little bit different, or totally new, tell Julia. She'll see to it, right away."

> Ranked 2nd in North America and 7th overall worldwide. (1993 Women's World Pro Tour)
> Team rider and product tester for Burton Snowboards.