Michael Vostal, MPD/MBA
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About
Hello, I’m Michael Vostal.
Lead Industrial Designer for 3M working in the Healthcare Business group for over 6 years. I help lead cross-functional teams to plan, identify and develop unique 3M Brand experiences, more recently for the Oral Care Solutions Division (OCSD). I have a passion for Design Strategy and trying to solve the toughest of problems through a collaborative and measured approach towards longterm platform growth.
Prior to joining 3M, I had my own consultancy in Chicago (where I’m from originally), working primarily in the CPG field developing designs for market for many name brand companies. My 18+ years of experience has taught me a great deal about people, myself and the opportunities it can open while continuing to fuel my passion for Design. I hold a BFA in Industrial Design from the University of Illinois (Urbana/Champaign) and a Masters in Product Design and Development from Northwestern University. When I’m not working, I’m looking forward to more travel opportunities with my partner, exploring the beautiful, hidden world our oceans hold, all while gaining new experiences and knowledge to be a more thoughtful, connected human being. -
Education
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Masters of Product Design and Development / Business-DesignNorthwestern University2011 - 2013
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BFA in Industrial Design Urbana/ChampaignUniversity of Illinois1997 - 2001
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Industrial DesignUniversity of Northumbria Newcastle, England | Design for Industry2001
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Experience
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Lead Industrial Designer3MNov 2014 - Present (9 years)• Translate Business goals and objectives into compelling Brand / User Experiences through Design Research, Creative Collaboration, Ideation Development, Prototyping, Concept Refinement, Design for Manufacturing and Design Intent Management
• Lead cross-functional project teams in the Healthcare Business Divisions through a refined product development process including the implementation of problem identification and resolution
• Initiated actions to develop and implement new or improved products and processes with a holistic impact at the Business Group level
• Complex problem solving and conceptual thinking to assess options, make decisions by applying extensive experience and knowledge of related and non-related precedents, practices and policies to solve significantly different problems
• Integrate Design Thinking processes into cross-functional project teams from initial concept to final implementation
• Managed and supported external design resources by providing design governance and leadership
• Mentored Junior design staff on improved process techniques and transition into Corporate environment -
Principal, Industrial DesignerVostal DesignChicago IL, United StatesOct 2007 - Oct 2014 (7 years)• Client driven solutions utilizing Design Strategy, Ideation, Branding, 3D Design, Engineering and rendering visualization (including rapid prototyping / model making)
• Translate design requests and information provided by Sales/Marketing into product concepts
• Develop customer research insights into product design concept sketches
• Conceptualize 2D/3D artifacts including packaging, merchandising, POS, visual and functional prototypes, storyboards and presentations
• Participate in research activities including synthesis of consumer insights from collected data
• Fabricate physical 3D models from various materials for fast, product testing and concept iteration
• Work with Mechanical Engineer(s), Product Engineer(s), Marketing, Graphic, Prototyper(s) and Tooling Engineer(s) to maintain Design Intent Management
• Maintain awareness of marketing trends and existing products offered by competitor businesses
• Communicate with vendors throughout sampling and development stages -
Industrial DesignerPrimitiveMar 2007 - Oct 2007 (7 months)• Designed and developed programs of furniture (tables, chairs, desks, buffets and storage) for production that included both new and custom pieces
• Support Sales and their clients by designing and engineering custom pieces (along with rendered environments to best visualize our customers ideal home experience)
• Drove Design Intent Management with our Suppliers and Manufacturers in China
• Helped grow the Primitive Brand by designing and developing new product platforms that increased our product offerings and differentiate ourselves from the competition -
Industrial Designer (mid-level)deepLABSAug 2004 - Apr 2007 (2 years 8 months)• Specializing in disruptive, consumer product goods aimed at targeted competitive markets
• Client facing lead, driving our project teams through the development of our Proposals, Deliverables and Presentations
• Developed market driven research, ideation sketches and computer renderings for our clients
• Managed multiple projects in various stages working with diverse teams (including Engineers, Graphic Designers, Marketers, Research, Web development, etc)
• Developed a line of soft goods for the buyers of Home Depot aimed at the Construction Market
• Designed and engineered a line of medical products for Alzheimer's patients
• Designed and engineered a kitchen device called the ‘foodloop’ sold at major chains across the country (e.g. Bed, Bath and Beyond)
• Lectured at the Toronto PTC User-Conference on advanced surface modeling techniques -
Industrial Designer (intern)Skil / Bosch / DremelSep 2000 - Jan 2001 (4 months)• Teamed with Engineering and Marketing to develop a new, high-performance line for Dremel brand
• Developed market driven research including in-person interviews, observation, brainstorming etc.
• Translated consumer insights into sketched product concepts
• Built 2D/3D mock-ups and prototypes of several design iterations
• Development of final design concept with corresponding target marketing material
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Awards
• 2 Red Dot Design awards for 3M Oral Care Products
• IDEA - Business Week Gold Excellence Award (redesign of the pushpin)
• 20+ Utility and Design Patents from Consumer and Health Care related products
• Led 3M Gives, our Community Volunteering program for events and fundraising
• Completion of Clinical Immersion Program at the University of Minnesota
• Published in the New York Times, Chicago Magazine, Wired, Wallpaper* and Gourmet Magazine
• Exhibition work titled D-Day at the Pompidou Museum in Paris, France -
Affiliations
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Elsewhere on the Web
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On Coroflot@mvostal, member since 2004
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