Over the almost three years at Gemtek, I’ve focused on three main areas: ODM design, developing the company’s generic product line, and supporting rendering and branding initiatives for the department. While I am the Senior Designer, I take on the role of Lead Designer, working closely with product managers to map out product roadmaps and create design themes. I also lead a small team of 2-3 designers, guiding projects efficiently and mentoring team members with hands-on skills to help them grow.

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When I first joined Gemtek,  I often faced challenges from the mechanical engineering department. Design wasn’t just about aesthetics anymore—it required taking into company profits, manufacturability, and cost. I spent a lot of time building bridges between departments, helping others understand the value of industrial design and the principles we stand by. Through these efforts, I ensured that design solutions were both market-relevant and practically executable. I also adopted storytelling techniques to present complete design proposals and import user-centered design (UCD) principles to enhance usability and operational logic, driving cross-functional collaboration to achieve ideal goals.

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One of the biggest challenges in my role is that clients often come to us without clear requirements. This means I need to quickly dive into market research and product analysis, combining those insights with design trends to create solutions that align with their vision for the next generation of products. Working in a fast-paced environment has given me a ton of practical experience, covering everything from design for manufacturing (DFM) and cost control to design validation. My goal has always been to strike the perfect balance between conceptual design and production feasibility.

Even with the fast pace and the challenge of working in a small team, I’ve managed to consistently deliver high-quality results. My efforts have provided strong design support for sales and product management while also elevating the industrial design department’s overall capabilities. One of my proudest achievements was designing the ID Demo Room, which highlights our team’s skills and innovation.

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Throughout my journey, I have faced challenges and embraced critiques, which have helped me grow as a designer and leader. The trust and support from executives and colleagues have been invaluable, and I am grateful that my work has consistently met their expectations. This recognition motivates me to continue refining my skills, contributing meaningfully to projects, and delivering designs that create value for the company and its clients.