Jon Winebrenner - Fractional Design Executive, Hurdler Studios, Inc

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Work Background

Hurdler Studios, Inc.Entrepreneur

Apr. 2024Richmond, British Columbia, Canada · RemoteI am building Hurdler Studios to envision and design the future. Founded over a decade ago as an industrial design consultancy, I have evolved it into a multidisciplinary hub of innovation and creativity. I work outside traditional boundaries with a sole purpose to foster new ideas that reshape the world through design, technology, art, and creativity.

Hurdler Studios, Inc.Licensed Advanced Canadian Drone Pilot

Mar. 2023Richmond, British Columbia, Canada · HybridFully licensed, Transport Canada Advanced RPAS (Remotely Piloted Aircraft System) Pilot currently piloting photogrammetry flights.

Hurdler Studios, Inc.President & Founder

Aug. 2009 - Mar. 2024Vancouver, Canada AreaDesigner of products that delight the user and create memorable experiences. Have worked with companies across multiple categories to bring a daydream to reality. From larger vending machines to small consumer bike products, development has resulted in iconic, award-winning products. Works with C-Level executives to create a successful design and development strategy that scales. Coaches and mentors teams to ensure that concepts of design thinking spans all disciplines and every member of the team contributes to a magical user experience for the end user. Jon leads teams towards the core belief that design is more than a product in a customer’s hands. It is an ethos that starts with the CEO and becomes contagious through the whole corporate culture.

Schoolhouse FarmSabbatical

May. 2023 - Dec. 2023Ladner, British Columbia, Canada · On-siteDuring a transformative sabbatical period that followed a life-changing accident, I embarked on a deeply introspective journey while volunteering at Schoolhouse Farm in Ladner, BC, Canada. This pivotal experience became a catalyst for profound personal change and self-discovery. Amidst the serene landscapes of the farm, I found solace and inspiration, using this time as an opportunity to recalibrate my life's purpose and aspirations. It was during this period that I gained clarity on my calling as a designer and business consultant, realizing the profound impact I could have on shaping a more sustainable and purpose-driven future. The sabbatical at Schoolhouse Farm not only allowed me to heal and recover but also served as a cocoon for my personal and professional transformation. I emerged from this period with a renewed sense of purpose, energy, and commitment to leveraging my skills and expertise to contribute meaningfully to the design and business realms, with a heightened focus on sustainability and positive impact.

Core77Moderator

Jan. 2005 - Dec. 2023Moderator for Core77 Discussion Boards. Creator of the 1 Hour Design Challenge.

SoapstandFractional Design Executive

Mar. 2020 - Mar. 2023Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada · HybridAs a Fractional Design Officer (FDO) engaged with Soapstand Ltd, I collaborated closely with the CEO, taking on the role of a strategic design leader on a limited-time basis. My mission was to guide and coach a dynamic, multi-disciplinary start-up team, fostering their growth and steering our initial product towards a transformation into a cutting-edge next-gen design with an exceptional user experience. I implemented a forward-looking design strategy that harmonized seamlessly with our development objectives, ensuring a holistic approach to our product's evolution. My role extended beyond this, as I invested substantial time in mentoring and nurturing a passionate team of young designers and engineers, fostering their professional development. One of the significant accomplishments during my tenure was the seamless transition of our in-house small production run (SPR) design to a format suitable for high-volume manufacturing and fulfillment in Taiwan. This move not only optimized production efficiency but also positioned our product for broader accessibility and impact.

Sonn Technology Ltd.Fractional Design Executive

Oct. 2019 - Mar. 2023Richmond, BC, CanadaAs a Fractional Design Executive at Sonn Technology, I spearheaded the design and UX development initiatives for a groundbreaking commercial food technology start-up. My role involved transforming initial concepts, often just scribbles on a napkin, into tangible and marketable first-article designs. Working closely with the CEO, I crafted comprehensive design, business, and production strategies that were not only aligned with our vision but also optimized for the timeline and budget constraints. My leadership extended to guiding and managing a diverse team of professionals, collaborating with local and manufacturing partners. Together, we successfully delivered functional first prototypes, which played a pivotal role in driving sales and attracting investment during the early stages of our start-up journey. Sonn Technology's innovative products empower users to infuse spirits with artisan flavors instantly, accelerate cold brew preparation, and create sensational broths right in their kitchen. With Sonn, the possibilities are limitless, providing users with full and precise creative control over their culinary adventures.

Industrial Designers Society of America (IDSA)2017/2018 Industrial Design Excellence Awards Jury Member

Jan. 2017 - May. 2018Recognized as a global design leader, appointed to a two year position as a Juror for the Industrial Design Society of America's IDEAs Awards. The International Design Excellence Awards (IDEA)®— is a premier international design competition sponsored annually by the Industrial Designers Society of America (IDSA) and judged by renowned design experts from around the world. Top IDEA winners are featured in IDSA's INNOVATION Magazine: Yearbook of Design Excellence; IDSA.org; and global media outreach.

Clug Brands Inc.CEO

Jul. 2014 - Sep. 2017Richmond, BCBuilt this start-up from internal Hurdler Studios development effort to a viable global microbrand with $500K+ revenue in the first year. Wrote and produced a successful Kickstarter campaign garnering $107K of funding from a $10 product. Clug went on to gather multiple international design awards including IDSA IDEA Gold, New York Design Awards Gold, Clio for Product Design, and Dieline Packaging Awards Silver. As well as being featured as a GQ product of the year, Eurobike recognized Clug as a best-of-show product. As CEO, led company to a successful exit in 2017. Clug continues to be sold to a globlal market under the UK-based Hornet brand.

OneOak Design, Inc.President/Co-Founder

Sep. 2005 - Apr. 2013Delta, BCFounder and president of design and engineering product development consultancy with a primary focus on Internet of Things technology. Hands-on leader of business strategy as well as design and development for clients spanning multiple industries. Typical development involved successful design and engineering implementation of mobile wireless products. Worked closely with a wide variety of technology clients to establish engaging User Experiences. Established a design process with a focus on rapid product development culminating in hand-off of development efforts in the small production run (SPR) phase. Coached and mentored clients along the way to ensure a smooth transition from our outside development to their ongoing internal design and engineering team.

Sierra Wireless, Inc.Sr. Industrial Designer

Apr. 2000 - Jul. 2005Richmond, BCAs the Corporate Lead for Industrial Design at a dynamic technology leader, I assumed a pivotal role within an organization of over 300 professionals. My journey within this company marked significant growth, evolving from an Intermediate Designer to a Senior Designer. In this capacity, I undertook the responsibility of managing various multi-million dollar projects, leading cross-functional teams, and steering the development of world-class IoT products. Within this fast-paced, multi-disciplinary team environment, I spearheaded the successful development and realization of numerous products and innovative concepts. My contributions extended across a wide spectrum of disciplines, encompassing everything from packaging design to cutting-edge smartphone development. In my capacity as the sole in-house creative lead, I played a key role in orchestrating collaboration with esteemed external design consultants, including renowned firms such as Ziba and Fuseproject. This collaborative approach ensured that our design expertise was effectively harnessed and seamlessly integrated across multiple business units, contributing significantly to the company's overall success.

McLean EngineeringIndustrial Designer

Aug. 1994 - Aug. 1999Lead Designer for this small mechanical design consultancy working on a wide range of product catagories. Jon worked for the now deceased Don McLean, who was in his late 60s when I started working for him. Don had forgotten more about designing injection moulded products than he was able to teach Jon in the 5 years he worked for him. As first jobs go, this was a wonderful experience working for a wonderful person.

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