-Life as a Mechanical Designer-
I’d like to launch into this episode with a challenge for all of you.
What would you consider to be one of your prized physical possessions from a utility standpoint?
Perhaps it’s your iPad, smartwatch, smartphone or even your fancy schmancy coffeemaker. (Personally, that last item holds special meaning in my life.)
Here’s the next question though. Why is it that you have a certain affection for that item?
Presumably the answer lies in it intimately and unobtrusively delivering a certain level of value to your life either through its unique aesthetics and or usability, without causing you too much grief.
Last question. Why is that you use that particular brand or product versus a sea of other options ostensibly available to you?
I’m guessing the answer lies attached to the aforementioned points of it delivering a certain value, attraction and functionality.
Well, what I am driving at here is that these successful products you and others have come to attach yourselves to have been able to reach this level of level of intimacy for very specific reasons. Reasons that begin in the minds and souls of certain professionals.
On today’s show, we have the companion episode to a previous talk where we examined the work of an Industrial Designer who certainly plays a role in all of this.
Shortly, you’ll hear from the other half of the equation from the perspective of successful product design. I have a very talented and highly awarded Mechanical Designer ready to share insights from a technical standpoint relating to ideation and creation.
Introducing
Rob Horacek is one of the co-founders and the technical lead at ANAMALY, an award-winning, industry-disrupting product design firm.
His prowess within product design stems from an education in Mechanical Engineering at Boston University and Technische Universität in Dresden, Germany.
Professional Background
Further, his many years of experience working with internal R&D teams at major brands, and time spent alongside entrepreneurs and startup companies leading them through the product creation process have provided him with much insight, knowledge and awareness as per consumer design needs.
Specialty and Expertise
His specialties are wide and varied including but not limited to advanced engineering analysis, Rapid Prototyping & 3D Printing, 3D CAD and design for manufacturing.
Rob has a ton of experience in producing all types of consumer products however much of his work within ANAMALY is centred on athletic innovation and wearable technology.
Awards and Accolades
Whether designing extreme sports equipment for top brands including Puma or for celebrated athletes, the quality of his craftsmanship has amounted to much buzz and plenty of accolades.
His product designs have produced multiple awards over the past decade from widely respected organizations, publications and design thinking firms not limited to:
- Backpacker Magazine
- Outside Magazine
- Red Dot Design Award
- Popular Science
- And several others
Many of his creations have been worn by the likes of professional golfers like Vijay Singh, footballers, Olympic sprinters like Usain Bolt, World Cup Skiers, as well as public figures including Rihanna and Michelle Obama.
Reasons to Listen
This talk represents a look at the fascinating world of product creation and all that it entails.
This will be a talk worth listening to for:
- those interested in exploring careers aligned with product engineering
- those curious about what it takes to create hit consumer products from a design and engineering perspective
- those who are curious minded and want a look at a fascinating line of work
Listeners will come away with insights on:
- the duties of a mechanical designer
- often overlooked yet critical elements of the job
- typical workflows and weekly tasks of a mechanical designer
- both the stresses and joys of the work
- how tech has affected the work in a way that you might not expect
- how Rob made his way into becoming a mechanical designer
- how within this profession you can combine your own set of broader passions into the work
- the interaction between mechanical designers and industrial designers
- process of product design
- the key players and ingredients that make a product sell or become a success
- how an individual can strategically position one’s career for entrepreneurial opportunities later on
- how good product design can actually positively affect consumer habits
- Much more!
A Memorable Quote from the Episode:
-On collaborating with professional athletes for product testing-
“Some of the most stressful moments are when you have a professional athlete that you’re working with. Certainly the stakes are high and you’ve put a lot of work into preparing for that. However those moments can also be some of the greatest opportunities to make the product better.”
-Rob Horacek
Check out the Video Conversation:
For those who desire to view the full video conversation of this discussion, you can do so via Youtube.
Discover More
For those interested in learning more about Rob’s company, be sure to check out the company website for Anamaly. You can also find him on LinkedIn:
Also, you can certainly check out the other venture is presently part of over at Lore.cc which he mentioned in the talk.
Keep Listening!
Finally, to keep exploring this world of design, don’t miss the episode which explores the world of Industrial Design with Rob’s brother Ray Horacek who forms the other half of Anamaly.
