Marta Kourtessis
Product Designer
martapod@featherpendesign.com
A passionate product designer with excellent sketching capabilities, high attention to detail and precise with calculations. Provides excellent project results from conceptual to final product development. Artistically talented, three-dimensional thinker with several years of hands-on work experience in the Interior and Graphic Design field. Known to simplify and appropriately eliminate obstacles to produce harmonious and aesthetic work while always meeting deadlines. Fluent in English, Polish, and Greek.
Computer Programs / Expertise
• SOLIDWORKS
• OMAX Waterjet Software
• Adobe Photoshop
• Adobe Illustrator
• Microsoft Office
• AutoCAD
• CorelDRAW
• New product design/development
• Sales consultation
• Design for manufacture
• Market research
• Sketching
• Perspective drawing
• Model construction
• Material selection
• Branding
Relevant Educational Experience
• Computer Aided Prototyping
• Computer Modeling
• Ergonomics
• Business of Manufacture
• Engineering Product Design
• Mechanical Systems Design
• Electronic Product Design
• Digital Visualizing
Experience
Edgewater Studio Inc. August 2016 – Present North Vancouver, BC
Product Designer/ Sales Consultant
https://www.edgewaterstudio.com/
• Working with interior designers, developers and residential clients to create designs for custom projects such as floor/wall medallions, tile gradients and various unique interior installations
• Developing new tile patterns and collections, selecting and purchasing material for tile fabrication based on market research and seasonal trends
• Creating quotes, elevation drawings and renderings for sales packages for trade and retail clients
• Programming files for cutting using existing blueprints and/or creating new designs using OMAX Software for water-jet cutting
• Operating a water-jet to fabricate glass, stone, metal and mixed media floor and wall installations
• Attending and networking at trade shows/corporate events to promote new product and seek out potential clients
• Resolving technical problems relating to material selection, programming, assembly, mapping for placement and installation
• Maintaining the company’s website/social media platforms by creating and updating visual and written marketing material
Feather Pen Design June 2009 – July 2016 Port Moody, BC
Freelance Designer
https://www.featherpendesign.com/portfolio.html
• Developing new mechanisms for innovative jewelry, styles and charms
• Working alongside entrepreneurs such as Harold Bergman, creating new designs and models to help accommodate and develop new concepts
• Engineering designs for prototyping and manufacture using SolidWorks
• Design of new products, logos, brochures and invitations for a variety of events, TV shows and companies
• Maintaining consistent availability to clients through time management while travelling
• Application of many self-taught computer programs to aid in presenting work to clients
• Successful networking in unique locations with positive outcomes involving new projects and connections
• Collaboration with other designers to improve projects and ideas
Cave Sports Ltd. November 2009 – June 2013 Oxford, UK
Company Director/Designer
www.youtube.com/watch?v=5mRF8CgLlWk
• Invented and developed the Wavecave, the company’s flagship item
• Appeared on hit TV show ‘Dragons Den’ which aired in the UK, summer of 2010
• Showcased the product and networked at exhibitions and events worldwide, resulting in many magazine reviews and increased publicity
• The Wavecave was entered and won the Best Summer Hardware at the 2012 ISPO Brand New Awards Exhibition
• Continuous research for opportunities to seek out more customers and distributors, sustaining company growth
• Support for patent lawyers through written and visual descriptions of products, for patent applications
• Web site development and advertising campaign support alongside web and graphic designers
• Involvement with the manufacturer to oversee the entire production process
• Marketing and business development, including the creation of advertisements in various media, creating a future strategy/marketing plan, and goal setting
• Event organizing and dealing with large organizations to attain additional sponsorship
Self employed June 2009 - Present
Freelance Designer
http://www.featherpendesign.com/index.html
· Design of new products, logos, brochures and invitations for a variety of events, TV shows and companies
· Maintaining consistent availability to clients through time management while travelling
· Utilisation of many self-taught computer programs to aid in presenting work to clients
· Successful networking in unique locations with positive outcomes involving new projects and connections
· Collaboration with other designers to improve projects and ideas
Tsitsos Architectural Office July 2007 – May 2009 Thessaloniki, Greece
Interior Designer
http://www.dtsitsos.com/
· Interior design alongside renowned Greek architect Dimitrios Tsitsos
· Designed interior spaces for hotels, clubs, bars, exhibitions, homes and boutiques
· Independently managed projects from sketch to final presentation
· Created designs based on customer consultation and images collected by research
· Consulted with customers on a regular basis, constantly amending and improving designs to their satisfaction
· Received and placed orders for materials, furniture, lighting, wallpaper and accessories
· Developed perspective drawings by hand
· Measured interior spaces before and after renovations
· Ensured all administrative duties were covered when necessary
· Juggled full time work and university simultaneously with a positive outcome
Tsitsos Architectural Office June – August 2005 Thessaloniki, Greece
Student Internship – Junior Interior Designer
http://www.dtsitsos.com/
· Developed perspective drawings and learned various computer programs in the office
· Designed bathrooms, kitchens and closets
· Had extensive exposure to, and dealings with, architects, engineers, product designers, and material dealers
· Measured interior spaces and performed general administrative work when necessary
· Researched the design market to help collect images and new designs for customer consultation
Education
University of Central Lancashire September 2008- June 2009 Thessaloniki, Greece
BSc (Hons) 2:1 in Product Design
University of Northumbria October 2003 - June 2006 Newcastle, UK
HND in Product Design Technology
AAS, Applied Arts Studies September 2001 – June 2003 Thessaloniki, Greece
HND in Industrial Design
Product Designer
martapod@featherpendesign.com
A passionate product designer with excellent sketching capabilities, high attention to detail and precise with calculations. Provides excellent project results from conceptual to final product development. Artistically talented, three-dimensional thinker with several years of hands-on work experience in the Interior and Graphic Design field. Known to simplify and appropriately eliminate obstacles to produce harmonious and aesthetic work while always meeting deadlines. Fluent in English, Polish, and Greek.
Computer Programs / Expertise
• SOLIDWORKS
• OMAX Waterjet Software
• Adobe Photoshop
• Adobe Illustrator
• Microsoft Office
• AutoCAD
• CorelDRAW
• New product design/development
• Sales consultation
• Design for manufacture
• Market research
• Sketching
• Perspective drawing
• Model construction
• Material selection
• Branding
Relevant Educational Experience
• Computer Aided Prototyping
• Computer Modeling
• Ergonomics
• Business of Manufacture
• Engineering Product Design
• Mechanical Systems Design
• Electronic Product Design
• Digital Visualizing
Experience
Edgewater Studio Inc. August 2016 – Present North Vancouver, BC
Product Designer/ Sales Consultant
https://www.edgewaterstudio.com/
• Working with interior designers, developers and residential clients to create designs for custom projects such as floor/wall medallions, tile gradients and various unique interior installations
• Developing new tile patterns and collections, selecting and purchasing material for tile fabrication based on market research and seasonal trends
• Creating quotes, elevation drawings and renderings for sales packages for trade and retail clients
• Programming files for cutting using existing blueprints and/or creating new designs using OMAX Software for water-jet cutting
• Operating a water-jet to fabricate glass, stone, metal and mixed media floor and wall installations
• Attending and networking at trade shows/corporate events to promote new product and seek out potential clients
• Resolving technical problems relating to material selection, programming, assembly, mapping for placement and installation
• Maintaining the company’s website/social media platforms by creating and updating visual and written marketing material
Feather Pen Design June 2009 – July 2016 Port Moody, BC
Freelance Designer
https://www.featherpendesign.com/portfolio.html
• Developing new mechanisms for innovative jewelry, styles and charms
• Working alongside entrepreneurs such as Harold Bergman, creating new designs and models to help accommodate and develop new concepts
• Engineering designs for prototyping and manufacture using SolidWorks
• Design of new products, logos, brochures and invitations for a variety of events, TV shows and companies
• Maintaining consistent availability to clients through time management while travelling
• Application of many self-taught computer programs to aid in presenting work to clients
• Successful networking in unique locations with positive outcomes involving new projects and connections
• Collaboration with other designers to improve projects and ideas
Cave Sports Ltd. November 2009 – June 2013 Oxford, UK
Company Director/Designer
www.youtube.com/watch?v=5mRF8CgLlWk
• Invented and developed the Wavecave, the company’s flagship item
• Appeared on hit TV show ‘Dragons Den’ which aired in the UK, summer of 2010
• Showcased the product and networked at exhibitions and events worldwide, resulting in many magazine reviews and increased publicity
• The Wavecave was entered and won the Best Summer Hardware at the 2012 ISPO Brand New Awards Exhibition
• Continuous research for opportunities to seek out more customers and distributors, sustaining company growth
• Support for patent lawyers through written and visual descriptions of products, for patent applications
• Web site development and advertising campaign support alongside web and graphic designers
• Involvement with the manufacturer to oversee the entire production process
• Marketing and business development, including the creation of advertisements in various media, creating a future strategy/marketing plan, and goal setting
• Event organizing and dealing with large organizations to attain additional sponsorship
Self employed June 2009 - Present
Freelance Designer
http://www.featherpendesign.com/index.html
· Design of new products, logos, brochures and invitations for a variety of events, TV shows and companies
· Maintaining consistent availability to clients through time management while travelling
· Utilisation of many self-taught computer programs to aid in presenting work to clients
· Successful networking in unique locations with positive outcomes involving new projects and connections
· Collaboration with other designers to improve projects and ideas
Tsitsos Architectural Office July 2007 – May 2009 Thessaloniki, Greece
Interior Designer
http://www.dtsitsos.com/
· Interior design alongside renowned Greek architect Dimitrios Tsitsos
· Designed interior spaces for hotels, clubs, bars, exhibitions, homes and boutiques
· Independently managed projects from sketch to final presentation
· Created designs based on customer consultation and images collected by research
· Consulted with customers on a regular basis, constantly amending and improving designs to their satisfaction
· Received and placed orders for materials, furniture, lighting, wallpaper and accessories
· Developed perspective drawings by hand
· Measured interior spaces before and after renovations
· Ensured all administrative duties were covered when necessary
· Juggled full time work and university simultaneously with a positive outcome
Tsitsos Architectural Office June – August 2005 Thessaloniki, Greece
Student Internship – Junior Interior Designer
http://www.dtsitsos.com/
· Developed perspective drawings and learned various computer programs in the office
· Designed bathrooms, kitchens and closets
· Had extensive exposure to, and dealings with, architects, engineers, product designers, and material dealers
· Measured interior spaces and performed general administrative work when necessary
· Researched the design market to help collect images and new designs for customer consultation
Education
University of Central Lancashire September 2008- June 2009 Thessaloniki, Greece
BSc (Hons) 2:1 in Product Design
University of Northumbria October 2003 - June 2006 Newcastle, UK
HND in Product Design Technology
AAS, Applied Arts Studies September 2001 – June 2003 Thessaloniki, Greece
HND in Industrial Design