Rob Sawatsky

As account manager, I work directly with several of the Taylor Group’s pharmaceutical, automotive and technology exhibit clients and I'm involved in the planning, budget, design, development, fabrication, installation, run of show, dismantle, storage and maintenance of exhibit programs for these partners. With a foundation of fluid and focused communication, it’s my goal to lead cross-functional teams to align on exhibit strategy and execution. Using a network of reliable partners to cover the breadth of convention services, I ensure all aspects of the exhibit are purposefully planned, designed and executed to the highest level of quality and service. I maintain relationships with convention organizers and external vendors to ensure the exhibit logistics are coordinated on schedule and on budget, I oversee the production, transportation and installation of the exhibit, and represent the Taylor Group on site.

As a senior designer, I’m part of a diverse design team of Exhibit Designers, Industrial Designers, Architects, Artists, Digital Interaction Designers & Graphic Designers and I generate exhibit design solutions for diverse clients. Working directly with these clients, it’s my role to be a brand steward, consult on experience/engagement strategy, establish design briefs, develop exhibit concepts, maintain intent within short timelines and tight budgets, assure quality in production and represent The Taylor Group by supporting the client on site during installation.

In the role of design manager, I have the responsibility of coordinating all design requests within the organization, maintaining a design schedule and managing workload for 20 designers. I draft design briefs, lead brainstorming sessions, provide creative direction, contribute to marketing strategy and represent Taylor at the client level. I chair a monthly design team roundtable to bring our creative team together, foster personal connections and strengthen our unified vision.

Working with the Principal, Terry Heard, I developed exhibit, wayfinding and signage design solutions for various clients. Responsibilities involved client liaison, design brief generation, concept design, material solutions, mockups, drafting and 3D modeling. Projects included wayfinding and signage design for the OTrain Confederation Line, Ottawa; NHLPA Game Time and TSN Zone exhibits for the Hockey Hall of Fame, Toronto; interior design and exhibit layout for Al Seera Museum, Kuwait.

Working with a specialized team of engineers and developers at Personal Neuro Devices, I consulted on the company’s corporate identity and the visual design details of mobile applications. I was responsible for developing an Electroencephalograph headset designed to incorporate NeuroSky hardware. My goal was to design a more approachable and wearable headset than competitive products. I developed multiple concepts, modelled, 3D printed and fabricated display prototypes.

On BlackBerry’s Industrial Design team, I designed handsets and accessories for the BlackBerry 10 line and was named as inventor in seven patents, including the BlackBerry Mini Stereo Speaker and the corded headset for the Z10 & Q10 devices. The role involved concept design, presentation, material selection and maintenance of design intent into production. Offshore vendor relations led to iterative design to balance manufacturing constraints and design intent. Effective time management for project deliverables was imperative to maintain product schedules.