From 1985 until 2000, I worked as a designer and project manager
for the design partnership of Fahnstrom/McCoy in Chicago,
Illinois.  In this position, I had been involved in the
development of several award winning contract furniture
products.  I have worked extensively with the engineering
and development teams of The Knoll Group, Vecta, Brayton,
Health Design and Steelcase.  Through these experiences, I
have gained substantial knowledge of ergonomics and an
extensive understanding of material properties and production
methods.  In addition to my participation in the design and
development of critically acclaimed health care and contract
furniture, I have also played a key role in the design and
development of award winning computer monitors and other
computer peripheral products for NEC Technologies of Japan,
conceptual consumer electronics products for Philips
Corporation of the Netherlands and a line of award winning
desk accessories for Details, a division of Steelcase.  I have also
received design awards for non-funded design explorations in
the areas of packaging and electronics products.  In 2000, I
founded Brick Garage Industrial Design & Development with
the goal of helping clients to fully realize the benefits of their
products through design in a very direct and efficient way.

By forming alliances with other experienced independent
designers and prototypers, I am able to expand the design
team on an as needed basis which keeps overhead and project
costs lower resulting in substantial savings to the client.

I make use of computer technology for ideation, visualization
and virtual prototyping.  I also make mockups, models and
test fixtures to prove out concepts early in the process.  This
mixture of techniques enables more ideas about form, materials
and manufacturing to be introduced at the concept stage of a
project, and that contributes to a more efficient development
and engineering process. I feel that it is important to work
cooperatively and informally with clients to evaluate potential
solutions and to encourage frequent client participation
throughout the process.

The results are products that work better, clearly communicate
their advantages to the customer and satisfy the needs of the
manufacturer as well.

The Brick Garage web site is under construction.  Descriptions
and images of selected projects will be uploaded soon.

Contact

David J. Van den Branden
Proprietor, Brick Garage ID & D