Michael Leonard Pro

- Bryn Mawr Kitchen Gallery Educational Experiences Capstone Thesis Franklin Institute Exploring the Senses Experiential Exhibit Roles Designer, Researcher, Presenter I was challenged to exhibit the complex mechanical structure of the extra-ocular muscles. These provide movement to each eye and allow them to work together subconsciously. I worked with a team of designers each designing a section of the exhibit independently under the mentorship of Dr. Jayatri Das, Chief Bioscientist at the Franklin Institute. My section shows how the extra-ocular muscles move the eyeball within the orbit. I created a new exhibit design by applying educational theory and design thinking to meld user interaction and game-and-reward principles into a visibly reactive sculpture, and digital feedback multimedia in the exhibit module. Client Experiences

Roles Designer, Researcher, Organizer, Renderer The goal of this project was to design a ten by ten retail space that featured a digital/online sales channel while incorporating new technologies in a traditional retail setting. The Fleetwood brief stated that this was a design solution for the next five years. I worked in a group of 5 designers and we chose to work with REI Recreational Equipment, Inc. I proposed that we bring REI travel into the store to become a premium product with in-store trip teasers provided by leveraging new Microsoft HoloLens augmented reality technology. I utilized design thinking to create an innovative retail space. The associative values of travel, adventure, and high performance gear formed the sales narrative for the proposed retail space. The fixture itself was designed to feature products necessary for adventure travel and bring Travel With REI into the retail environment. Project Mod-Box E-commerce retail experience Georgia Pacific Industry Sponsored Collaborative Project

Roles Pacific's Innovation lab sought the design of a corrugated shipper/merchandising solution for E commerce. I worked as part of a multidisciplinary team with Georgia Pacific experts: Packaging Engineers, Vice President of Production, Director of Marketing, and student team members: Graphic Designers, Engineers, and Business Majors I researched and sourced components for an innovative modular cardboard box solution. I created concept mockups for testing with supplier users from fulfillment operations to the doorstep, and with consumers from receipt to reuse. From a single standard blank the size of the box adapts to the size of the product to be shipped. This saves resources and controls costs involved while providing an elegant "right-sized" look to the customer's doorstep. I presented the Mod-Box design solution at Philadelphia University's 2014 Innovation Celebration where it was awarded Second Place in the Innovation Category by popular vote. Project Remote of the Future Comcast Labs Challenge January 2014 Roles Project Manager, Designer I managed a group of five designers of varying experience - freshmen through masters students - to respond to Comcast Lab's challenge to design a more holistic user experience replacing the remote and set top box for cable entertainment systems. I worked with Comcast's corporate team: Vice President of Product Innovation, Research and Development Lead, and Engineers to develop a design brief from which my team located pain points in the process of using set top boxes, and designed solutions to permit one central hub to connect all televisions and internet connected devices to one point. My team and I developed numerous concepts for vetting by the Comcast expert and user groups. Project Cubby-buddy First Flat Surface Storage Solution

Fabricator Newell Rubbermaid's Vice President of Insights and Innovation asked us to examine where people put personal items - keys, phones, correspondence, pocket change, wallets, purses, clothing - as soon as they enter their home. The project required all the designers to interview and survey people for information about type of personal items, frequency of use, ritual, household interactions, and other essential factors. We then created and tested mockups to address the material, sizes, shapes, installations as well as user interfaces and affordances. Our Cubby-Buddy solution is a wall mounted organizer shelf system, featuring a mirror, repositionable storage modules, and user selectable arrangements for cubbyhole storage. The entire device nest-packed for a small shelf presence and shipping - a feature that tested well in focus-groups with users and retailers.

Project Innovative Acoustic Ceiling System Roles Designer, Detailer, Researcher Worked in a team of designers responding to a brief from Armstrong Corporate Lead Product designers and Research and Development managers. We were tasked with presenting concepts for new solutions in one of five product categories. I researched the ceiling marketplace for each of the categories and worked collaboratively to create a business case for one category for our group's concepts. I conducted research about purchasing, specifying and installation for competitive and analogous products. With my team, I designed a moveable discontinuous acoustic ceiling tile system intended for concert halls and large audience indoor event spaces. I helped to create concept illustrations, appearance and proof of concept prototypes for testing and presentation. Project Red Bull Flugtag School of Design and Engineering Sponsored Project Role Designer, Fabricator, and Flight Crew Annual event where teams compete to build and fly gliding aircraft off of a 30ft platform into the Delaware River.

Responsible for design research and proposal writing, market research, product concept creation and prototyping for multiple clients. Working on projects such as a motorcycle helmet design for riders who require corrective lenses. Brand development consulting with small business owners in conjunction with the Enterprise Center small business incubator in Philadelphia. Production Coordinator for Philadelphia University Annual Senior Show Production and Exhibit Planning, Sourcing, Ground Crew May