Russell Sims

I lead,  and collaborate with a multidisciplinary team focused on advanced and production design, guiding projects from initial sketch, into 3D Models to VR visualization, physical models, digital and physical research, and final production data.. Aligning with engineering and packaging constraints. My goal as a leader is to cultivate an environment where team members can grow as inspired individuals—empowered to produce meaningful work. We achieve this by fostering a culture of collaboration and respect, where every team member’s talent is recognized, developed, and shared for the collective good. I’ve continuously advanced our digital modeling capabilities in close partnership with Design Leadership, Vehicle Packaging, Digital Product Design, Components, Human Factors, Experience and Storytelling groups, the Prototype Shops, cross-functional teams and external collaborators. We pioneered the use of immersive VR tools in design reviews, this enabled early and robust decision making. Doing all this creates a rich narratives and functional experiences through both virtual reality and physical prototypes.
Expanded the teams and my own skillset through the development of Enthusiast groups. These groups would collaborate on areas of passion. An example Parasol is a parametrics team that enables designers to rapidly explore and iterate patterns and surfaces through an intuitive slider interface or in collaboration with digital modelers—allowing instantaneous evaluation of multiple design variations. We develop code to automate time-consuming, repetitive tasks, streamlining workflows and increasing design efficiency. Efficiency and productivity are up in all areas, some with a quantifiable 90% time savings while increasing designs ability to iterate and achieve design intent. Through this cohesive and forward-looking approach, we’ve set a new benchmark—both digitally and physically—for creating experiences that surprise, delight, and inspire our customers.

• Designed, and modeled PET packaging using blow molding and injection molding processes.
• Developed initial design sketches, refined concepts, and built 3D models in Rhino.
• Created visual presentations using Hypershot and Adobe Creative Suite to communicate design intent.
• Created Rhino models for prototype development and collaborated closely with engineers to finalize production molds.
• Gained full product life cycle experience—from concept and design through production and market launch.

• As a freelance designer and modeler, I had the opportunity to collaborate with a diverse range of clients — from startups to established brands — including BogoBrush, EarthRoamer, Van Dam Boats, Novurania, Hollywood Studios, and more. My work spanned concept design, digital modeling, and creative development tailored to each brand’s unique vision.

•Provided mentorship and instruction to emerging designers, cultivating creative skills, technical expertise, and professional values within the next generation of the design community. This was a true passion of mine and fruitful, with students who are now contributing throughout the industry and on my team.