Kirk combines more than 8 years of industrial design with a foundation of 5 years of engineering and consulting experience at Fortune 500 companies. His portfolio of private label and licensed product development experience coupled with his technical knowledge, enables successful collaboration across marketing, design, engineering and manufacturing teams. 

MFA Industrial Design
Savannah College of Art and Design
2009 – 2012

BSc Industrial Engineering
University of the West Indies
2000 – 2003

Creative Design Methods Instructor | University of Minnesota | Sep 2020 - Present
Facilitates online presentation and feedback sessions with student groups while providing mentorship and industry insight.

Sr. Product Design Manager | Bradshaw Home | Jan 2019 - Present
Spearheads delivery of a diverse portfolio of licensed brands and private label cleaning tools. Partners with product managers, sourcing and manufacturing to cultivate product innovation. Motivates team members and inspires development through exploration and collaboration. Coordinates and executes 3D prototyping, analysis and equipment maintenance with team

Sr. Industrial Designer | Bradshaw Home | Feb 2017 - Jan 2019
End-to-End product development within the home cleaning category, across several licenses and private brands. Driving dynamic conceptualization and prototyping through to production while leveraging DFM principles and strong collaboration.

Industrial Designer | Target | Aug 2014 - Aug 2016
OUTDOOR LIVING: Product design and development across the following categories: Outdoor Furniture, Kids Gardening, Garden Tools and Accessories, Outdoor Lighting, Garden Décor and Planters. Concept strategy and development, vendor collaboration and merchandising support.

Associate Designer | Target | Jul 2012 - Aug 2014
OUTDOOR LIVING: Led kids garden program and garden tools and accessories. Supported furniture, lighting, décor, planters, rugs and umbrellas.
TRIM-A-TREE: Supported holiday ornament design.
DECORATIVE HOME: Designed accent furniture trend runs.
PET CARE: Assisted in food storage, pet containment and apparel.

Industrial Designer | Freelance | Sep 2016 - Feb 2017
Consumer product design and development services, from concept generation through product specification and merchandising configuration.

Design Intern | Target | Jun 2011 - Aug 2011
Primary and secondary research to identify product opportunities
Facilitating user insights & requirements definition sessions.
Concept development prototyping & presentation.
Selected concept was put into production and later issued a patent in February 2014.

Lab Instructor - Toy Design | University of Minnesota | Jan 2014 - May 2014
Invited to share professional design expertise with Toy Product Design course. Worked with T.A. to guide multidisciplinary team of students from research through functional concept development and final presentation.

Table Base
USD754996S1
Issued: May 03, 2016

Side Table
USD739670S1
Issued: Sep 29, 2015

Chair
USD713164S1
Issued: Sep 16, 2014

Chair
USD713163S1
Issued: Sep 16, 2014

Backpack
USD699031S1
Issued: Feb 11, 2014

IDSA Northern Lakes | Co-Presenter (Sep 2020)
IDSA International Design Conference | Co-Presenter (Sep 2020)
Presented with Le’Spencer Walker, Racial Barriers and Breakthroughs: A conversation about the authentic journey as a person of color in the design field. Stories matter and taking action makes change.

University of Minnesota | Sketch Off! 2012-2015
Participated in every Sketch Off! event hosted by the School of Design. An improv concept sketching battle, where design professionals rapidly visualize wild product ideas with suggestions from the audience.

SCAD & Remington Collaboration | Eyewear
Collaborated with jewelry and fashion designers. Following brand immersion and concept generation, eyewear concepts were prototyped along with coordinating cases and revealed during formal sponsor presentation.

SCAD & Kids ii Collaboration | Toddler Toys
Conducted analysis of toddler toys and trends and synthesized with Bright Starts brand. Presented full scale visual prototypes and process documentation including marketing opportunities. Achieved ‘Best in Show’ award.

SCAD & Fossil Collaboration | Watches
Partnered with a graphic designer. Synthesized research to guide concepts based on guest profiles. Following client feedback, visual prototypes were delivered with product specifications as well as branding opportunities.

SCAD & Newell Rubbermaid Collaboration | Window Treatments
Explored and innovated new product offerings based on client defined customer profiles. Through unconstrained concept exploration, final functional prototypes were presented along with unique marketing opportunities.

Global Business Services Consultant - Maximo® | IBM
Determined process requirements and facilitated training, implementation and IT support.

Maintenance lead in maximo implementations
Business process reviews & requirements definition workshops
Streamlined cross-functional information reporting systems

Work Management Coach | BP | Oct 2005 - Sep 2006
Developed and delivered process training to over 350 end users across the organization.

Global Work Management System initiative Developed and delivered work management training to 350+ end users. Provided end user technical support and training following system updates.

Delivered work managent training to 350+ end users
Assistant developer and business custodian of online help tool
Provided end user technical support following system upgrades

Maintenance Planner | BP | Feb 2004 - Sep 2005
Managed planning and scheduling of all equipment maintenance for oil processing facility.

Weekly maintenance schedule for oil and gas processing facility
Delivery team support for facility transformation
Championed operations online work request training program