About

I am a seasoned Design Director with over 15 years experience creating innovative, user-centered designs across diverse industries, including medical devices, ergonomic office solutions, and consumer electronics. With a passion for blending form and function, I specialize in ideation, concept sketching, 3D design, and ergonomics, delivering products that not only meet but exceed user expectations and industry standards.

Throughout my career, I’ve collaborated with global clients such as Medtronic, Dell, Herman Miller, and 3M, managing projects from initial concept through production. My expertise in design for manufacturability, prototyping, and usability testing has driven impactful results, from enhancing product usability scores to achieving significant production efficiencies and cost reductions. As a leader, I’ve mentored multidisciplinary teams, fostering innovation and elevating design standards.

Beyond the professional sphere, I am an avid artist, adventurer, and lifelong learner. My interests in painting, kayaking, and traveling fuel my creativity and inspire my approach to design. Whether I’m crafting a product or exploring new landscapes, I’m driven by curiosity, precision, and a commitment to excellence.

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John Cain

633 Washington Street, River Falls, WI 54022                                                612-570-0861

www.linkedin.com/in/jcaindesign                                                            llabsid@gmail.com

 

Design Director

Innovative & Meticulous Design Leadership

 

Industrial Designe Director with several years of experience creating innovative healthcare and consumer products that improve lives and drive business success. Holder of several patents for groundbreaking designs that enhance user experiences, meet regulatory standards, and align with business strategies. Skilled in collaborating with executives and cross-functional teams to deliver impactful, market-leading solutions that improve patient outcomes and build consumer trust.

 

Ideation - Concept Sketching - 3D Design - Ergonomics - Design for Manufacturability-Engineering-Prototyping-Visualization-Research

 

Professional Profile

  • Accomplished Industrial Design leader with in-demand experience and technical expertise.

  • 18 years of successful design within both corporate and consulting product development environments.

  • Proven track record of leading design innovation in the healthcare industry, delivering products that improve patient outcomes and enhance market competitiveness.

  • Expert in developing cohesive design systems, including CMF strategies and visual languages, to unify product portfolios and strengthen brand identity.

  • Skilled in combining user insights, clinical research, and advanced technologies to create intuitive, manufacturable designs that meet regulatory standards.

  • Recognized for fostering cross-functional collaboration and guiding design teams to achieve creative excellence and operational efficiency.

  • Holder of multiple patents for groundbreaking healthcare solutions, showcasing a commitment to advancing medical device innovation.

  • Adept at managing complex projects, ensuring on-time delivery while aligning with organizational objectives and stakeholder expectations.

  • Passionate advocate for integrating emerging tools like AI, 3D modeling, and rapid prototyping to streamline workflows and enhance design outcomes.

  • Experienced in presenting to senior executives and global stakeholders, articulating design strategy as a core driver of business success.

Experience

Neogen | Principal Industrial Designer                                                             2022–2024

Spearhead of cross-functional design initiatives, creating patented solutions and cohesive product systems that drive innovation and differentiation in diagnostic and food safety markets, while leveraging AI tools to streamline processes and enhance efficiency.

  • Lead cross-functional design initiatives for diagnostic and food safety products, enhancing product differentiation.

  • Develop cohesive product design systems for B2B and consumer markets, including CMF, design language, and branding.

  • Design patented sharps disposal solutions, innovative oral fluid collection devices, and new packaging systems to reduce cost, waste, and improve accuracy.

  • Introduce AI tools like Midjourney and ChatGPT into design strategies, streamlining processes and fostering innovation.

  • Design leadership as a Principal Industrial Designer contributed to the Food Safety segment’s revenue growth to $655.3 million—an increase of 19.9% over the previous year—driven by innovative product solutions and core growth of 3.7%.

3M | Principal Industrial Designer                                                                        2017–2022

Leads cross-functional teams to drive innovative, user-centered design solutions across healthcare portfolios, aligning product strategies with clinical needs and business goals, while mentoring design teams, developing cohesive design systems, and integrating emerging technologies to deliver impactful, manufacturable, and regulation-compliant healthcare products.

  • Drive the creation of innovative healthcare products that enhance patient outcomes and align with 3M’s brand and business strategies.

  • Partner with engineering, regulatory, marketing, UI/UX, and clinical teams to ensure designs meet functional, aesthetic, and regulatory standards while advancing business goals and driving customer adoption.

  • Direct design and development of 15+ products across healthcare portfolios, including patient warming, oral care, and drug delivery systems.

  • Develop and refine product design systems, including CMF strategies, for consistency across healthcare and consumer portfolios.

  • Oversee key projects such as digital stethoscope research, R5 automation, and reverse osmosis systems.

  • Contribute to $2 billion food safety portfolio sale through innovations in Petrifilm diagnostics and automation.

  • Generate innovative solutions that contribute to 3M’s intellectual property portfolio, securing patents that enhance the competitive edge.

Kablooe Design | Senior Industrial Designer                                                   2014–2017

  • Deliver end-to-end design solutions for medical device startups and established clients such as Medtronic, Senseonics, HID Global and many more.

  • Build working prototypes for testing, ensuring optimal user-centered designs.

  • Provide leadership in product development, mentoring junior designers and managing client relationships.

Farm Product Development | Senior Industrial Designer                               2012–2014

  • Design and develop user-centric medical devices, integrating clinical needs, ergonomic requirements, and manufacturability into innovative solutions.

  • Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to deliver end-to-end product designs that align with regulatory and client standards.

  • Lead conceptual design and prototyping efforts, ensuring functionality, usability, and seamless manufacturing transitions.

  • Contribute to award-winning medical device designs, addressing patient and clinician needs in critical healthcare settings.

Creative Memories | Senior Industrial Designer & R&D Manager    2010–2012

  • Designed and developed innovative crafting tools and scrapbooking products, driving revenue growth and enhancing the company’s market position.

  • Redesigned the legacy tape runner, resulting in increased sales and greater customer adoption through improved usability and performance.

  • Created cohesive brand designs that refreshed product aesthetics, improved usability, and strengthened customer engagement in the crafting industry.

Ergotron Inc. | Industrial Designer/OEM Design Lead                                     2004–2010

  • Design ergonomic office solutions for OEM clients like Dell, HP, and Herman Miller, driving market success.

  • Lead design efforts for Sony PlayStation 3 accessories and create impactful brand presentations.

Curve Studios | Owner & Freelance Designer                                                 2006–2010

  • Deliver product designs from concept to production for various local businesses and startups.

United States Navy |                                                                                        1992–1999

  • Hone teamwork and leadership in high-pressure environments.

  • Create morale-boosting airbrush murals on USS Essex, showcasing artistic talent.

Hardware / Software

 Sketch book pro, SolidWorks, KeyShot, Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, Painter, Microsoft Office Suite, InDesign, Gravity Sketch, Midjourney

 Education

 Savannah College of Art and Design, Bachelor of Fine Arts-Industrial Design

 Awards

 Reddot Design Award-2023

Several US Patents

2011 Golden Bridge-Workfit-S

2011 Platinum Adex-Workfit-S

2010 Platinum Adex-LX Side by Side

2010 Gold Adex-MX Desk Mount

2008 Adex

2007 CES Innovation honoree

2007 Design Journal’s annual ADEX award for design excellence

Dean’s List, Savannah College of Art and Design

 

Navy Achievement Medal for exceptional performance Multiple Navy Outstanding Service Awards

 

Interests

Drawing, Painting, Kayaking, Scuba Diving, Mountain biking, Woodworking

 Portfolio

www.jcaindesign.com

Password protected. Will provide if necessary.

Resume PDF