CHRISTOS ROUSTEMIS
+ INDUSTRIAL DESIGNER
St. Clair Shores, MI. croustemis@mail.com
Industrial Designer and OEM visionary with 26 years of advanced technology, interiors, exteriors, HMI and UEX experience. Fluent in the concept-to-showroom process, with a track record of creating profitable and award winning automotive products. Seasoned leader skilled at navigating design and engineering teams through the product development life cycle. Highly effective and proven at fostering and leveraging strategic supplier relationships. Global studio assignments and emerging market experience in Asia and Latin America among other locations.
+ EXPERIENCE
Design Professor - College for Creative Studies and Wayne State University 2017-present
CEO and Creative Visionary for 2D_3D_4D_Design LLC. 2018 - present
GENERAL MOTORS DESIGN - GM TECHNICAL CENTER, Warren, MI 1991 - 2017
Design Lead - Advanced Lighting Technology and Materials (2016 – 2017)
Leveraged decades-long strategic relationships with local and global ambient/task lighting suppliers to deliver innovation while meeting GM’s strategic growth objectives
Collaborated with GM marketing, design, purchasing, and engineering teams to vet and award top tier suppliers for GM exclusive programs (2010 - 2017)
Designed, developed, and led the YM@D (You Make A Difference) Design Education Outreach Program for promising Southeastern Michigan high school students in an effort to foster the next generation of automotive design leaders
Cultivated a network of designers and sculptors within GM who shared a common passion for student mentorship, community development, and volunteerism
Design Lead – Cadillac Interior Studio (2010 - 2016)
Created a unique and valuable position as lighting SME <Subject Matter Expert> within GM Design - led award-winning interior lighting and HMI <Human Machine Interface> design for all Cadillac models in today’s showrooms, ranging from 2013 - 2029
Spearheaded 2D+3D development, A+B side execution, as well as interior design and lighting components of the ATS, CTS, XTS, CT6, XT5 and XT4 - influenced showroom siblings: ELR and Escalade
Led the design of two unique CUE bucks unveiled at CES and global auto shows
Appointed design and project manager for the 2013 SRX MCE
Design Manager - Interiors, GM do Brazil International Service Personnel - Sao Paulo, Brazil (2006 – 2009)
Appointed by executive design team to develop and manage the first Global Components Design Studio for GM - Brazil
Led the interior design creative direction for The Chevrolet Agile unveiled at the 2008 Sao Paulo Auto Show
Managed a team of designers, sculptors, and engineers through the product design/development life cycle
Creative Design Manager - GM Tech Center, Warren, MI (2002 - 2006)
Oversaw creative direction for the 2006 Camaro interior - production show car debuted at NAIAS 2006
Contributed to the 2004 Buick Velite Showcar interior developed in Stile Bertone - Torino, Italy
Creative Design Lead - First Gen Chevrolet Equinox - Hamamatsu, Japan within GM/Suzuki studio (2001 - 2002)
Appointed by executive team to lead creative design solutions for the 2004 Chevrolet Equinox Joint Venture in collaboration with Suzuki
Spearheaded first-to-market features such as reconfigurable 2nd row seating, open center console storage, and a multi-use cargo compartment
Creative Designer - GM Tech Center - Warren, MI (1991 - 2001)
Ideated product design solutions for each studio across GM’s portfolio of brands - developed ability to design brand meaning into automotive products. Interiors, Exteriors, cars, trucks SUV’s and medium-duty vehicles, to name a few
Managed Chevrolet NOMAD show car exterior design - developed concept 1999 NAIAS (Detroit) debut
Managed Chevrolet Monte Carlo 2000 Pace Car series, sold in conjunction with Chevrolet Marketing and NASCAR
+ EDUCATION
Master of Arts - Industrial Design, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI
Bachelor of Fine Arts - Industrial Design, Wayne State University, Detroit MI
+ TEACHING & MENTORSHIP
Wayne State University, Detroit, MI 2018 - 2019
Professor - Design, Design Process, Visual Communication, & Portfolio Development Classes
College for Creative Studies, Detroit, MI 2012 - 2006, 2018 - 2019
Professor and Guest Lecturer - Introduction to Transportation Design
YM@D (You Make A Difference) Design Education Outreach Program referenced above 2009-2017
+ VOLUNTEERISM, EXTRACURRICULAR, INTERESTS
Since 2011 I have helped 7 disabled athletes, including 4 U.S. veterans, across the 26.2 mile Marathon finish line. Most were in assistance to and support of the Achilles International organization.
Multiple Ironman Triathlon, full marathon and ultra-marathon finishes since 2010
Regular Eyes On Design show contributor: assisting the visually impaired judging category and show coordination volunteer
Docent to Eyes On Design judges during NAIAS every January in Detroit since 2015
+ INDUSTRIAL DESIGNER
St. Clair Shores, MI. croustemis@mail.com
Industrial Designer and OEM visionary with 26 years of advanced technology, interiors, exteriors, HMI and UEX experience. Fluent in the concept-to-showroom process, with a track record of creating profitable and award winning automotive products. Seasoned leader skilled at navigating design and engineering teams through the product development life cycle. Highly effective and proven at fostering and leveraging strategic supplier relationships. Global studio assignments and emerging market experience in Asia and Latin America among other locations.
+ EXPERIENCE
Design Professor - College for Creative Studies and Wayne State University 2017-present
CEO and Creative Visionary for 2D_3D_4D_Design LLC. 2018 - present
GENERAL MOTORS DESIGN - GM TECHNICAL CENTER, Warren, MI 1991 - 2017
Design Lead - Advanced Lighting Technology and Materials (2016 – 2017)
Leveraged decades-long strategic relationships with local and global ambient/task lighting suppliers to deliver innovation while meeting GM’s strategic growth objectives
- Sourced and presented emerging technologies to executive leadership - integrated technology products to branded identities across the GM Portfolio
- Developed design strategies encompassing color and material selection, LED functionality and ambient lighting, as well as surfacing, packaging, and mass assembly
Collaborated with GM marketing, design, purchasing, and engineering teams to vet and award top tier suppliers for GM exclusive programs (2010 - 2017)
- Negotiated supplier consolidation deals resulting in a net savings of 10-35% per product life cycle refresh by leveraging volume across GM brands
- Built an exclusive showroom of demonstrator properties and tabletop models to evaluate, compare and contrast light sources and technologies offered by competing suppliers
- Organized and hosted GM internal teams to supplier ‘tech-days’ - whereby suppliers would present their products, technologies, and capabilities for future programs
Designed, developed, and led the YM@D (You Make A Difference) Design Education Outreach Program for promising Southeastern Michigan high school students in an effort to foster the next generation of automotive design leaders
Cultivated a network of designers and sculptors within GM who shared a common passion for student mentorship, community development, and volunteerism
- Created an after-hours mentorship program to give high school students insight into all aspects of the automotive design process - from sketching to 3D clay models
- Created and nurtured media relationships to promote GM’s commitment to the automotive design community
- 200 + students have successfully completed the program since its inception in 2010 - program graduates have earned college scholarships (amounting to $450,000+) and launched careers at GM and elsewhere in the auto industry
Design Lead – Cadillac Interior Studio (2010 - 2016)
Created a unique and valuable position as lighting SME <Subject Matter Expert> within GM Design - led award-winning interior lighting and HMI <Human Machine Interface> design for all Cadillac models in today’s showrooms, ranging from 2013 - 2029
Spearheaded 2D+3D development, A+B side execution, as well as interior design and lighting components of the ATS, CTS, XTS, CT6, XT5 and XT4 - influenced showroom siblings: ELR and Escalade
- Partnered with a technology supplier to integrate the highest contented lighting in the 2014 XTS production vehicle
- Condensed light source origins (fewer LEDs) and incorporated light piping and fiber optics while utilizing dual and multiple outputs, colors, and functions
Led the design of two unique CUE bucks unveiled at CES and global auto shows
- Developed the CUE onscreen palette and oversaw cabin lighting integration through color correcting seat bucks and tabletop properties
Appointed design and project manager for the 2013 SRX MCE
- Oversaw the integration of Gen-1 Cadillac User Experience (CUE) and first-to-market safety suite features such as radar and Lidar driver-awareness systems
Design Manager - Interiors, GM do Brazil International Service Personnel - Sao Paulo, Brazil (2006 – 2009)
Appointed by executive design team to develop and manage the first Global Components Design Studio for GM - Brazil
- Orchestrated the integration of the GMB studio across several continents and suppliers in South Korea, Germany, Australia, and the US
Led the interior design creative direction for The Chevrolet Agile unveiled at the 2008 Sao Paulo Auto Show
Managed a team of designers, sculptors, and engineers through the product design/development life cycle
Creative Design Manager - GM Tech Center, Warren, MI (2002 - 2006)
Oversaw creative direction for the 2006 Camaro interior - production show car debuted at NAIAS 2006
- Showcar design continues to influence production Camaros today
Contributed to the 2004 Buick Velite Showcar interior developed in Stile Bertone - Torino, Italy
Creative Design Lead - First Gen Chevrolet Equinox - Hamamatsu, Japan within GM/Suzuki studio (2001 - 2002)
Appointed by executive team to lead creative design solutions for the 2004 Chevrolet Equinox Joint Venture in collaboration with Suzuki
- Managed a team of designers, sculptors and engineers through the product design/development life cycle
Spearheaded first-to-market features such as reconfigurable 2nd row seating, open center console storage, and a multi-use cargo compartment
- Equinox surpassed projected sales expectations by 20% as a direct result of innovative design according to customer reason-for-purchase feedback compiled from GM and conquest customers
Creative Designer - GM Tech Center - Warren, MI (1991 - 2001)
Ideated product design solutions for each studio across GM’s portfolio of brands - developed ability to design brand meaning into automotive products. Interiors, Exteriors, cars, trucks SUV’s and medium-duty vehicles, to name a few
Managed Chevrolet NOMAD show car exterior design - developed concept 1999 NAIAS (Detroit) debut
Managed Chevrolet Monte Carlo 2000 Pace Car series, sold in conjunction with Chevrolet Marketing and NASCAR
+ EDUCATION
Master of Arts - Industrial Design, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI
Bachelor of Fine Arts - Industrial Design, Wayne State University, Detroit MI
+ TEACHING & MENTORSHIP
Wayne State University, Detroit, MI 2018 - 2019
Professor - Design, Design Process, Visual Communication, & Portfolio Development Classes
College for Creative Studies, Detroit, MI 2012 - 2006, 2018 - 2019
Professor and Guest Lecturer - Introduction to Transportation Design
YM@D (You Make A Difference) Design Education Outreach Program referenced above 2009-2017
+ VOLUNTEERISM, EXTRACURRICULAR, INTERESTS
Since 2011 I have helped 7 disabled athletes, including 4 U.S. veterans, across the 26.2 mile Marathon finish line. Most were in assistance to and support of the Achilles International organization.
Multiple Ironman Triathlon, full marathon and ultra-marathon finishes since 2010
Regular Eyes On Design show contributor: assisting the visually impaired judging category and show coordination volunteer
Docent to Eyes On Design judges during NAIAS every January in Detroit since 2015
| croustemis_cv_r15.pdf |