Zachary Whitaker

Experience

• 

  Altair

  May 2007 - Aug 2007

  Creative Design Intern

  Design Intern working on both product and transportation projects for a number of clients including Ford Motor Company, Proctor and Gamble and the US government.Responsibilities included theme development, clay model development, research, collective brainstorming, creative problem solving, full size spacial buck build, ergonomic control layout understanding and 3d sketching

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  Ford Motor Company

  May 2008 - Aug 2008

  Creative Design Intern

  Summer Internship in Commerce park advanced studio. Student projects included a Ford hybrid interior, recreation of the F100 pick up truck and a Lincoln sports sedan.

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  SolidThinking

  Aug 2009 - Oct 2009

  Contract Designer

  Design lead working on interior and exterior design development for the BAE Sentinel concept vehicle. Both interior and exterior designs were chosen and created into a working prototype. This government funded project was geared to create a better solution for boarder patrol in the United States. See video link https://youtu.be/9ovksyThCvk

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  American Specialty Cars

  Oct 2009 - Feb 2010

  Contract Designer

  Interior and exterior designer working on the Monaco brand for Navastar. Along with Patrick Quinn, created new form language for the brand developing the 2011 Monaco Vesta.Holds credit for patents on both interior and exterior development of the 2011 Monaco Vesta.

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  General Motors

  Feb 2010 - May 2014

  2018 Chevrolet Traverse door design lead (April 2013- May 2014)Created design themes based on Chevrolet brand DNA. Design was chosen by senior leadership. Took sketch to full size clay model. Worked with engineering, digital and physical modeling teams to create a criteria compliant design.2018 Chevrolet Equinox door design lead (April 2012- April 2013)Initiated layout and packaging for center console. Created door design themes based on Chevrolet brand DNA. Worked with sculptors on full size console and doors (front and rear). Worked with engineering, digital and physical modeling teams to create a criteria compliant door design. Followed surface development teams as they developed manufacturing compliant surface keeping in mind dye pull, grain wash out, load sequence and build variance. Show less 2015 Cadillac Escalade console design lead (Nov 2010- Feb 2012)Created design themes based on Cadillac brand DNA (floor console, overhead console, seats). Ideated on floor console layouts and packaging. Design was chosen by senior leadership. Took sketch to full size clay model. Worked with engineering, digital and physical modeling teams to create a criteria compliant design. Followed surface development teams as they developed manufacturing compliant surface keeping in mind dye pull, leather wrapping, load sequence, build variance and real materials limited ability.Contributed to global production and advanced sketch blitzing on all global brands. 2018 GMC Terrain/ Chevrolet Equinox (feb 2012- April 2012)Worked on early stages of theme, layout and architecture of 2018 GMC Terrain and Chevrolet Equinox Pre-KO Show less

  • Senior Creative Designer

    Apr 2012 - May 2014

  • Creative Designer

    Nov 2010 - Apr 2012

  • Contract Designer

    Feb 2010 - Nov 2010
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  College for Creative Studies

  Jan 2013 - May 2014

  Adjunct Viscom 3 Professor

  Adjunct faculty teaching Visual Communication 3.Introduction course to Digital sketching and rendering. The course taught students a variety of sketching techniques and software understanding.

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  Tata Motors

  May 2014 - Feb 2020

  Advanced interior team leader for future advanced and production interiors.This role consists of managing the design of early concept development, strategy and product planning to create new segments/products for an ever changing global market. Then taking these concepts through styling freeze all the way to tooling kick off. Principal interior designer on future production and advanced vehicles.In this role the main objective is theme creation on new global platforms. Then taking the design development to production feasibility. This advancement includes leading the A surface maturation (clay and digital software), global components, graphics, accessories and color and trim walk up.

  • Team leader Interiors

    Nov 2016 - Feb 2020

  • Principal Creative Designer

    May 2014 - Nov 2016
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  Coventry University

  Jan 2015 - Mar 2015

  Adjunct Design Professor

  This position was teaching automotive design to first, second and final term students . The objective is to motivate the students to develop their drawing mechanics and techniques. This foundation would help them then move their exploration into more complex forms and proportions. The final term students will be challenged with a more in depth critique as well as establishing a 3D property whether it be digital or clay surface.

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  Stellantis

  Feb 2020 - Jul 2023

  Interior design manager for Jeep, Chrysler interiors

  • Chief Designer- Jeep and Chrysler interiors

    Dec 2021 - Jul 2023

  • Lead Design Manager -Jeep

    Jun 2021 - Dec 2021

  • Jeep Interior Design Manager

    Feb 2020 - Jun 2021
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  Scout Motors Inc.

  Jul 2023 - now

  Chief Designer- Interiors