From Kohler to Blendjet: William Gordon's Design Journey

Episode 12 of The Design Journeys Podcast hosted by Chris Whyte. New episodes every other Wednesday!In this episode of the Design Journeys podcast, host Chris Whyte interviews William Gordon, Vice President of Design at Blendjet. They discuss William's journey in industrial design, his time at Kohler and SC Johnson, and the importance of building relationships in the design industry. William emphasizes the value of connections and maintaining a network, even during challenging times. He also highlights the role of storytelling in design and the impact of design on facilitating positive relationships between people. In this conversation, William Gordon discusses the challenges of working with egotistical bosses and the importance of creating a positive work environment. He shares his experiences working at S.C. Johnson Wax and CamelBak, highlighting the diverse range of products and industries he has been involved in. Gordon emphasizes the significance of understanding the design process and its impact on people, business, and society. He also shares a humorous design story involving Herb Kohler, the CEO of Kohler, testing a toilet seat.TakeawaysBuilding and maintaining relationships is crucial in the design industryDon't turn down opportunities, even if they may not align with your ideal projectsYour network can lead to future opportunities and collaborationsDesign is about storytelling and facilitating positive relationships between peopleListening and asking questions are key skills in building connectionsDon't sacrifice relationships for projects Working with egotistical bosses can be challenging and detrimental to the work environment.Creating a positive work environment is crucial for productivity and employee satisfaction.Gaining experience in different industries and product categories can broaden one's design skills and perspective.Understanding the design process and its impact on people, business, and society is essential for successful design.Design is about consequences and making a positive impact on users, stakeholders, and the environment.Humor and storytelling play a role in design, fostering engagement and connection with users.LinkedIn is a great platform for networking and connecting with professionals in the design industry.Connect with William Gordon on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/william-gordon-a6522b1/Connect with Chris Whyte on LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/mrchriswhyte/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Learn more about Kodu Recruitment: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://teamkodu.com/⁠