Daniel has always loved creating! Having worked in product design, architecture, furniture design/build, and teaching, he brings well-rounded experiences to the design process. Working with start-ups and more seasoned businesses, Daniel has been involved from ideation through to manufacturing.
His desire to become a product designer started while a senior in high school. "I was very fortunate to have one of the great automotive designers teach a class (because he loved design education) at my school. Chuck Jordan, former Vice President of Design for General Motors, showed me that I had what it takes and made me believe that I could have a career doing something I love."
"I believe that in designing we take our personal life experiences and subconsciously or not use them as tools. My degree in mechanical design taught me to see things for their functions and not just their aesthetics. It taught me to enjoy dismantling products to see how they're made. My pursuit of a degree in Psychology taught me to understand myself and my drives and desires. It also taught me to understand people, empathy, research and opened my eyes to a deeper understanding of design and who we design for. Going for a Masters in Industrial Design, Product Design gave me the tools I needed to be successful designing products. My travels and living abroad opened my eyes to a great deal of inspiration present in different cultures and people around the globe."
By becoming an educator in 2014, Daniel shares his expertise and passion with students who are also eager to learn. He is currently leading industrial/product design at ChooMee, Inc where his latest project, a multifaceted appliance has been awarded a utility patent.
In 2016, he started his own business, The Rustic Forest, LLC, specializing in fully custom design and build high end furniture. Starting with an idea for a few home pieces, he designed a catalogue that has expanded to include pet furniture to office furniture. The Rustic Forest has sent 800+ bespoke pieces all over the world, and all handmade. From designing and building pieces to marketing, sales, client relations, to running a business and managing employees, he has learned what it takes to create something from nothing and give it everything.
Lately he's been studying UX/UI design and hopes to expand his knowledge into the digital world.
Daniel lives by the philosophy of the late, great Kobe Bryant's Mamba Mentality: The desire to be better today than you were yesterday and better tomorrow than you were the day before.
