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Product Designer/Industrial Designer/ Creative Director/ Rapid Prototyper

Michael Gulen

Califon, NJ
Available Now
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  • About
  • About

    Prototype Development in all it's forms: Art DIrection, Project Management & Team Lead, Workflow Design, Toy Design & Production, Sculpting, Plastics Fabrication, 3D Digtial Modeling, 3D Scanning Technology, Rapid Prototyping, Mold Making & Casting, Machining, Thermo-forming, Quality Control, Brand Assurance

  • Education
    • Associates Industrial Design
      Art Institute of Pittsburgh
  • Experience
    • Freelance Model Maker/ Art Director
      Freelance Model Maker/ Art Director
      1999 - Present (26 years)
      * Creates action figures and collectibles for such companies as Diamond Select, Super7, and Sideshow Toys utilizing a team of artists and working closely/art directing on a daily basis
      * Creates scratch models from concept designs utilizing different digital modeling, rapid prototyping, machining, sculpting, and modeling techniques.
      * Produces final Tooling Patterns and Photo Models of various products for many different clients
      * Creates full low-run product lines for clients for direct sales
    • Senior Design Product Manager
      Super7
      San Francisco, CA
      Nov 2020 - May 2025 (4 years 6 months)
       Oversaw all 3D development of Ultimates!, ReAction, ReAction+, Super Cyborg, etc:
      • Team Management:
       Managed a team of 9+ artists to create retro inspired toys and Action Figures
       Digital Model Server organization
       Developed and maintained professional relationships with freelance artists
      • 3D Project Manager:
       Has worked directly with licensors such as Hasbro, Toho, Peanuts, Disney, Warner Bros., FOX, and Major Podcast Wrestling.
       Quality Control of Product Development from prototype to final product
       Works closely with Factories to develop and maintain high quality standards of product
       Created and used cost saving development methods
      • 2D Product Concept Design:
       Created original concepts for internal and licensor approvals and applications
       Created Factory Design documents for production
       Created 2D Vector art for use as tampo print

    • Prototype Development Director/ Project Manager
      McFarlane Design Group
      Bloomingdale, NJ
      Sep 1999 - Apr 2019 (19 years 7 months)
      * Oversees all development of 3D Prototypes, from initial concept to final sculpt/model, including:
      * Digital Sculpting & Modeling, Clay, Wax, & Mixed Media
      * Plastics Fabrication & Machining, including Packaging and Thermo-form Blister design and production.
      * Silicon Molding, Plaster Molding, Resin & Epoxy Casting
      * Maintaining proper tolerances for ease of production and functionality.
      * Quality Control of Product Development from prototype to final product
      * Developed and implemented many Digital Product Development methods, including:
      * Introduction of 3D Organic Digital Modeling in Zbrush and Freeform into standard day to day workflow.
      * Digital Model Server organization * Digital Prototype Painting and Photography
      * Elimination of physical prototypes and conversion over to fully Digital Product Development
      * Bridged the gap between Digital Modeling and Traditional Sculpting to obtain an efficient workflow for product development.
      * Works directly with licensors to obtain quick approvals on licensed products.
      * Has worked with licensors such as Microsoft, Disney, Warner Bros., FOX, and New Line Cinema.
      * Manages a team of 25 - 35 artists within the Digital, Sculpt, Model and Mold Departments.
      * Employees consisting of full-time and contract labor
      * Developed and maintained professional relationships with freelance artists
      * Conducts resume and portfolio review and Interviews
      * Introduced and maintained proper department communications and workflow to increase efficiency.
      * Communicates and works with Hong Kong Factories to resolve issues and upkeep quality of products.
      * Familiar with various plastic production, assembly, and play functions.
      * Familiar with factory technology and development
      * Aware of cost saving development methods
      * Produced accurate and efficient scheduling to reduce development by approximately 40%.
    • Model/Prototype Maker
      Franklin Mint
      Media, PA
      May 1998 - Aug 1999 (1 year 3 months)
      * Created scratch models from concept designs utilizing different machining, sculpting, and modeling techniques.
      * Altered and dissected original sculptures to be mass produced in resin, pewter, cast medal, PVC and ABS.
      * RTV Silicon Molded and Resin Cast models to produce Tooling Patterns and Photo Models
  • Awards

    Featured in Wired Magazine article on Hemoglobin rapid-prototyped model.

    Featured on The Talking Dead - 2.14 - Narrator and Scanning Technician

    I apologize in advance if I have forgotten to credit any artist on the pieces posted in my porfolio. Please contact me if you have any questions. Thanks.

  • Industries
    • Commercial Equipment
    • Entertainment
    • Toys & Games
    • Kitchen, Bath & Home decor
    • Medical & Scientific Equipment
  • Skills
    • 3D Modeling
    • Art Direction
    • Content Management
    • Creative Direction
    • Engineering
    • Fabrication
    • Industrial Design
    • Model Making
    • Prototyping
    • Rapid Prototyping
  • Elsewhere on the Web
    • I
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  • On Coroflot
    @mgulen, member since 2009
    • Following 8
    • Followers 8
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