About Adam

Adam O’Hern; Industrial Designer
adam@theOHerns.com; (310) 692-4380; [download vCard]

Genesis

My dad bought home Photoshop 3.0 home from work, and my world changed. At 12 years old–I’m not making this up–I read the inch-thick User Manual from cover the cover. I haven’t changed.

College

At Columbus College of Art and Design in 2001, I intended to be an illustrator. I discovered “industrial design,” and the more time I spent in ID classes, the more I realized that my particular strengths–rapid sketching, sculpting and 3D conceptualization, mechanical design, and functional innovation–were the core competencies of an industrial designer.

HP

For me, my internship at HP was heaven. I’d been following the consumer electronics industry closely for years, and this was like being a rockstar. The staff there was very kind and encouraging, and it was the first time in my life I was able to turn my ideas into realities. I worked 60 hours each week. “Convergence” was the big buzz word at the time, and I’ve always believed that the future of computers isn’t computers at all: the future of computing is in intelligent objects.

Black & Decker

As a staff designer at Black & Decker, I learned about project planning, manufacturing, cost, retail and marketing dynamics, and the importance of clear communication when working with foreign suppliers. At BDK I worked very hard to master CATIA V5, and contributed to documentation and training for other members of the team. We conducted one-on-one research with users, as well as focus groups and quantitative internet user research. I particularly enjoyed brainstorming and the rapid, free approach to ideation. I’m indebted to the BDK team for the guidance they provided, and the growing room they afforded me.

Wedlock

In June of 2003 I met a blonde Hawaiian girl (about to take a power drill to my head, above) that worked in the coffee shop at the YMCA of the Rockies, where I worked as a K-3 daycamp councilor. In June of 2006 we were married, and life is beautiful. Marriage is the best thing that’s ever happened to me.

Bose

Working at Bose taught me about design in the absence of excuses. It was challenging work, but also extremely fun and intellectually stimulating. I gained a much greater appreciation for a type of design thinking that is totally new to me, and I think it will have a lasting impact on my design sensibilities into the future.

Consulting

Since February of 2009 I have been a full-time Industrial Design consultant working out of Santa Monica (yeah, it doesn’t suck). I am available for ideation, 2D rendering, 3D CAD, 3D visualization, design consulting, and software training services for Adobe CS applications and Luxology’s Modo.

Teaching

Beginning in January of 2010, I have been working as adjunct faculty at Otis College of Art & Design in addition to my consulting work, teaching CAD fundamentals to industrial design students. I have been very happy with how fun and fulfilling it has been so far, and I hope to continue teaching as my career progresses.

Into the future.

I’ve told my supervisors that my career goals are to be creative and prolific, and that I will always choose the career opportunity that best serves these ends. On further thought, I’ve amended the list slightly. In addition to being creative and prolific, I want to create designs that are appropriate, thoughtful, and effective.