Ryan Rutherford

Design and manufacturing of award-winning limited edition collectible art toys
utilizing traditional- and digital-sculpting techniques. Digital sculptures output to high-resolution 3D printers, prepared and polished to be used as patterns for RTV molds, combining cutting-edge development processes with traditional manufacturing. Rotocasts are produced in vintage rotational molding machines that have been altered and upgraded to accommodate modern materials. Other processes include thermoforming and pressure casting.

Advisory throughout the design process, from concept through manufacturing.
Including, but not limited to: market analysis, ideation exercises, scope
defining/clarifying, concept sketching, 3D modeling, model making,
prototyping, sourcing, manufacturing, and review of systems and process.
Management consulting for creative teams, sourcing and setup of new creative facilities and MakerSpaces; liason for clients and large network of domestic and foreign manufacturing facilities.

Joined the company as a creative partner to expand business and develop new
products using the existing 20,000 ft2 blow- and injection-molding facility.
Engineered a proprietary in-mold embossing process that instantly enabled
unlimited, fully-customizable product offerings.
Developed, sourced, and implemented in-house silkscreen production.
Modernized and streamlined production processes for efficiency and safety.
Daily management of manufacturing facility and its employees, including
operations, accounting, payroll, healthcare, sales and inventory.

Joined the company as the first staff designer, then hired and managed an inhouse design staff of seven, as well as multiple external agencies and consultants.

Researched, sourced and assembled the $250,000 creative development studio including traditional shop and state-of-the-art digital technologies.

First designed product was incredibly successful, and is continually rated
among the top-selling products in the industry.

Subsequently designed and developed hundreds of products and manufacturing systems and tools, resulting in 85 patents.

As member of senior management board, integrated new product development process with sales and marketing team, helping grow the company from less than 10 employees to a a significant industry influence and ultimately its acquisition by PetMate.

Direct engagement with domestic and foreign vendors, manufacturers, material suppliers, chemists, and hardware/software providers. Spent over one month a year in China managing and fostering factory relationships.

Technology in the design process

Worked with students to help them understand the multiple processes needed to take a product from concept to production.

Ideation exercises

3-d modeling

traditional model making and rapid prototyping methods

material properties and sourcing

manufacturing methods from wood working to injection molding.