Katie Wittenberg
Technical and Design product development expert
Saint Paul, MN
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About
TECHNICAL AND DESIGN PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT EXPERT
Project Management | Industrial Design | Technical Design | Manufacturing
Highly adaptable problem solver with comprehensive cross-category experience designing and creating engineering hand off specs for functional, high quality products, value engineered to meet customer needs and margin goals. Reliable Industrial Designer with excellent attention to detail. Experienced in developing products through collaborative partnerships with manufacturing and cross-functional teams including sourcing, merchants, and marketing. Accomplished mentor with a passion for leadership development. Core competencies in:
Product Design | Product and Value Engineering | Managing Project Execution | Manufacturing | Materials Concept Design | Market Research | Consumer Research | Solidworks | Sketching | Furniture Construction
Technical Product Development and Industrial Design skills:
• Experienced in designing for manufacturing in the following materials and manufacturing techniques:
• Cast iron, wood, steel, aluminum, stainless steel, foam, polyester batting, textiles, and plastics
• Sand cast, welding, injection molding, extrusions, cut and sew, finishing, and upholstery
• Value Engineer to achieve high value perception at mass retail cost and margin goals.
• Collect consumer insights through customer interviews, ethnographic studies, and surveys.
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Education
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Business Leadership Certificate Business Leadership
Century College
2019 - Currently Enrolled
Problem Solving Through Critical Thinking | Situational Leadership | Dealing with Conflict Confidently | Responding to Conflict: Strategies for Improved Communication
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Certified Solidworks Associate (CSWA) Solidworks Workforce Certified Training Program
Symmetry Solutions
2015 - 2015
Courses included: Solidworks Essentials- Oct. 2010, Advanced Part Modeling- April 2015, Surface Modeling- May 2015, Assembly Modeling- May 2015, Sheet Metal- May 2015, Drawings- June 2015, Weldments- June 2015, File Management- June 2015, Mold Design Essentials- June 2015, 135 hours of instruction
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Human Factors workshop
University of Minnesota-Twin Cities
2014 - 2014
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Electrocoating seminar
The Electrocoat Association
2012 - 2012
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powder coating, water and solvent based wood finishes
Sherwin-Williams
2011 - 2011
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Bachelor of Fine Arts Visual Arts - Sculpture
Saint Cloud State University
2000 - 2004
BA Minor: German Honors: Summa Cum Laude, Participated in Honors general education courses
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Furniture Design Summer Program Scandinavian Furniture Design and History
Denmark International Studies
2003 - 2003
Dansk Design Skole, Copenhagen
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Experience
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Industrial Designer II
Lakeville, MN
Jan 2016 - Present (5 years 10 months)
Utilized trend research, market awareness, and design tools to develop new hearth products for multiple brands. Created Solidworks models and renderings of new stove, insert, and fireplace concepts to deliver on design brief goals and timelines. Collaborated with Brand Directors, offsite engineering teams, and suppliers to create cost effective and manufacturing friendly new products and improve existing offering through the development of exclusive porcelain finishes.
• Developed Brand Language guidelines to drive aesthetic direction and brand differentiation strategy for the 9 core HHT Stove and Fireplace brands.
• Designed the first new cast iron Stove and Insert in 20 years for heritage brand, Vermont Castings. -
Lead Designer | Maker | Owner
KDKD Design/Secret Basement Lab Studio
Saint Paul, MN
Jun 2005 - Present (16 years 5 months)
Designed and manufactured furniture and reclaimed material jewelry products sold in juried craft fairs, art galleries, farmer's markets (as Secret Basement Lab Studios). Produced custom product for clients.
• Designed furniture line that won the Northern Woods Exhibition Judges Award in 2006, selling pieces from the collection at 526 Gallery in Saint Paul that were featured in the Minneapolis Star Tribune, Woodworker magazine, and Twin Cities Metropolitan magazine.
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Industrial Design Manager
Richfield, MN
Jun 2015 - Dec 2015 (6 months)
Solidworks specialist for LogicSource Best Buy fixture procurement field team.
Managed relationship with Best Buy Design and Engineering team for fixture Sourcing/Procurement group.
• Created Drawings Specialist SOP and managed Solidworks files for fixture sourcing exercises including developing process for tracking EPDM files by Best Buy Item ID.
• Quarterly all company award winner for Innovation in role. Mobilized and managed LogicSource HQ team (Norwalk, CT) to gather hundreds of fixture specs in three days, meeting a quick turn deadline.
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Technical Designer
Target
Minneapolis, MN
Aug 2010 - Mar 2015 (4 years 7 months)
Indoor furniture: upholstery, kitchen/dining 2014-2015
Wall decor: 3D wall decor, shelving, mirrors, clocks, gallery art 2013-2014
Outdoor living: furniture, rugs, cushions, planters, garden, grilling 2010-2013Partnered with design team to create concepts and product direction for thousands of products per merchant objectives. Collaborated on product development with overseas vendor partners until items were market ready. Partnered with marketing teams on multi-channel quality messaging strategy. Products included 2 utility patented, 24 design patented, and 4-patent pending items.
• Created process to reduce testing failures resulting from packaging call outs, reducing failures 90% and easing workload of QA engineer and overseas team members.
• Lead development of low cost consumer research-based design process; created insights gathering process and mentored team members through multiple projects including one project that shifted wall décor quality strategy to align with consumer needs.
• Designed a storage mirror, which ranked 3rd in sales for mirrors when launched in only half the chain.
• Trained 80+ personnel in product development process and GroveSite software, ensuring new team members were equipped to follow Target processes and effectively manage product development. -
Furniture Designer | Maker
Duff Thury Studio Furniture
Saint Paul, MN
Jun 2005 - Jul 2010 (5 years 1 month)
Produced sketches, drawings, and scale drawings of products. Presented designs to customers including architects, interior designers, home owners, and to company owner for approval, and discussed modifications.
• Researched production costs, materials, and manufacturing methods, directing and coordinating product fabrication.
• Hand-crafted unique products, utilizing multiple materials including a Twin's stadium playhouse for a Common Bond Communities auction and a Kite installation for artist JoAnn Weber.
• Created expertly crafted high-end furniture products using woodworking, welding, and finishing skills. -
Furniture Design and Manufacturing
A&B Furniture
Saint Cloud, MN
May 2004 - Jun 2005 (1 year 1 month)
Designed and engineered furniture and operated multiple manufacturing tasks during production, including final assembly. Developed manufacturing procedures and inventory control process.
• Developed 30+ furniture items from concept to implementation and manufacturing.
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Awards
LogicSource, Inc.:
•October 2015 All company "Spark" award for excellence and innovation in role
KDKD Design:
•Winner of the Northern Woods Exhibition Judges Award 2006
Target:
•June 2013 PD&D VP Trailblazer award-Trained Target.com guest services to troubleshoot typical patio guest issues
•August 2014 DHIL Divisional 365 development award- Leveraged advanced development to achieve a 43% inline update for Mirrors for May 2015
•December 2014 DHIL Divisional know the market award- Established standards for indoor furniture to beat benchmark quality
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Industries
- Kitchen, Bath & Home decor
- Luxury Goods
- Residential Furniture
- Retail
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Skills
- CAD Design
- Furniture Design
- Industrial Design
- Product Design
- Product Development
- Project Management
- SolidWorks
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Elsewhere on the Web
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On Coroflot
@katiewittenberg, member since 2010
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Followers 2
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Bryant folding 2013
The original Bryant set, this group of products was so successful the case was made to expand the product offering in this collection in both 2014 and 2015.
Patent: D687,234
Bryant sling stack chair and square table 2014
Patents:
D688,889
D693,591
Bryant Adirondack collection 2014
These products are completely weather resistant and utilize PS faux wood slats and stainless steel hardware for a rust proof solution.
Patent: D713,163 for the chair, table is patent pending
Bryant Stowable Dining 2014
Designed for small space living and easy storage in the off-season, this product has a drop leaf table and includes 4 chairs which fold and stow in the base.
Bryant Stowable Dining 2014
Designed for small space living and easy storage in the off-season, this product has a drop leaf table and includes 4 chairs which fold and stow in the base.
Bryant Picnic table 2014
Affordable and durable family dining. Also features an umbrella hole.
Patent: D718,541
Bryant Bar 2014
This bar features shelves at the back.
Bryant Bar Cart, Ottoman and Heatherstone club chair 2014
The Bryant Bar Cart works well mixed with any of the Threshold patio furniture pieces and accessories.
Bryant Bar Cart 2014
Shown with Threshold lanterns, the Bryant Bar Cart features a lift off tray.
Bryant Rocker 2014
The first generation Bryant Rocker, this product featured embossed seams on the sling fabric as well as padding for comfort.
Patent: D713,647
Bryant Bench 2014
The second generation Bryant Bench, this bench can accommodate 2 and fits the Threshold bench cushion for increased comfort.
Patent: D680,346
Bryant Glider 2014
This Glider can accommodate 2 and fits the Threshold bench cushion for increased comfort.
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Bryant 5 Pc Faux Wood Stowable Patio Dining Set Threshold
Source: https://www.coroflot.com/katiewittenberg/Target-Threshold-faux-wood-patio-furniture
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