I'm an Experience Design Architect working on the user experience of Autodesk APIs. We call this APIX. I've been a designer and coder for over 25 years, and have always believed strongly that designers can design and build anything they put their curious minds to. Curiosity has lead me through many design adventures designing online games, operating systems, medical devices, cloud APIs, virtual reality experiences, and several indoor theme parks. Throughout my career, I've enjoyed combining my love of design and code to make things come to life - whether on the screen, in your hand, or as a spatial experience all around you. I feel incredibly fortunate to be part of an amazing organization helping to create delightful experiences for developers inside and outside of Autodesk.

I'm an Experience Design Architect working on the user experience of Autodesk APIs. We call this APIX. I've been a designer and coder for over 25 years, and have always believed strongly that designers can design and build anything they put their cur... Show more

Ben Gould – Designing at the Edge of Innovation: A Behind-the-Scenes Look at Bringing Ideas to Life

With over 15 years of experience as a senior industrial designer, Ben Gould has shaped the future of products across virtually every category—consumer packaged goods, toys, housewares, fashion, eVTOL, and beyond. Currently designing for Kickr Design, Ben is known not only for his deep technical mastery in CAD, prototyping, and 3D visualization, but for his rare talent: giving bold ideas form and soul through storytelling, sketching, and user-centered thinking.

Ben’s talk offers an unvarnished look at what it truly takes to get a product to market—from early napkin sketch to factory floor. Drawing on high-stakes experiences from both startups and global brands, he shares the trials, breakthroughs, and hidden lessons of industrial design in a competitive, fast-moving world.

Whether leading the development of award-winning STEM toys like Smart Circuits—used by thousands of families to teach electronics—or managing cross-functional teams to deliver durable, joyful, and market-ready products, Ben balances creativity with strategy, heart with rigor.

A passionate advocate for meaningful play and value-driven design, Ben also brings a personal lens to his work as a parent and toy expert. He believes every object has a story to tell—and that good design helps people discover it.

Ideal for audiences interested in design for manufacturing, product innovation, the toy industry, or the intersection of design and storytelling, Ben’s presentations inspire both aspiring designers and seasoned professionals to reimagine what’s possible.

Topics Include:

Designing for Manufacturing: From Sketch to Shelf

Creating Toys That Teach: Lessons from the STEM Aisle

Brainstorm Better: Techniques for Facilitating Ideation with Your Team

The Generalist: Learning the Skills to Become Recession-Proof

The Future of Industrial Design: Craft, Tech & Connection

Contact: ben.gould@brightblot.com
Keywords: #CPG #toys #industrialdesign #humancentereddesign #3Ddesign #solidworks

Ben Gould – Designing at the Edge of Innovation: A Behind-the-Scenes Look at Bringing Ideas to Life With over 15 years of experience as a senior industrial designer, Ben Gould has shaped the future of products across virtually every category—consu... Show more

Sean Douglas is retired U.S. Air Force , 3x TEDx Speaker, Master Resilience Implementer & Suicide Awareness Trainer, Business Positioning Strategist, International Podcast Host of Create Launch Monetize Podcast, and Bestselling Author. His WHY is he's a suicide survivor who hit rock bottom with no purpose or passion. He believes that you were created for a purpose, and once you unlock your true potential, you will elevate your life, which is why he founded The Success Corps. In a highly interactive and engaging environment, utilizing online mentoring sessions and face to face workshops, Sean works with Entrepreneurs, Speakers, Podcasters, and Business Owners to improve their Positioning in the Market, increasing Profitability while decreasing anxiety and stress so their business thrives. Sean equips them with the tools necessary to live EPIC lives, and leaves them better equipped to manage change effectively.

Considered an “Icon of Influence in the New Media Space”, Sean hosts the popular Create Launch Monetize Podcast, giving listeners invaluable knowledge for today's business landscape. He is also the Founder of LYB Clothing Inc., an Affirmation & Empowerment Clothing Line.

Watch Sean's popular TEDx talk at www.TheSuccessCorps.com.

Sean Douglas is retired U.S. Air Force , 3x TEDx Speaker, Master Resilience Implementer & Suicide Awareness Trainer, Business Positioning Strategist, International Podcast Host of Create Launch Monetize Podcast, and Bestselling Author. His WHY is he... Show more

Wes Shields, Principal and founder of Synthminds.AI, leads a team of 15 experts, propelling clients' AI strategies and objectives with ethical and innovative solutions. Under his stewardship, his full-service Artificial Intelligence agency provides bespoke services that exceed their strategic needs to an extensive list of clientele from academia to various industries including aviation, customer service, legal, marketing, logistics, education and technology. He was named one of the first 18 global “OpenAI Experts”, an endorsement awarded and recognized formally by OpenAI. Shields' exemplary work has earned him and his Synthminds team the "Expert-Vetted" AI Consultant accolade from Upwork, a title conferred on the top 1% of the 18 million professionals on the platform.

Recognized as an accomplished strategist and speaker in the field of AI, he is also the host of the popular podcast, 'How to Talk to AI.' He has a notable presence on Promptbase.com, the premier prompt sales marketplace, where his prompts rank him amongst the top 200 worldwide.

Shields possesses an impressive academic portfolio, holding an MS in Operations Research from the Naval Postgraduate School, an MBA from the Mason School of Business at The College of William & Mary, and a BS in Economics from the esteemed United States Naval Academy. His contributions to academic research, particularly in the domains of complex network science and logistics technology integration, have been published and recognized, earning him graduate certifications from both the Kegan-Flagler School of Business at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill and the Naval Postgraduate School.

For more insights into his professional pursuits and areas of interest, visit https://synthminds.ai/.

Wes Shields, Principal and founder of Synthminds.AI, leads a team of 15 experts, propelling clients' AI strategies and objectives with ethical and innovative solutions. Under his stewardship, his full-service Artificial Intelligence agency provides b... Show more

David is a technologist practicing at the intersection of computing and culture. He has worked on problems related to digital identity, reproducible data science, and software preservation, exhibited interdisciplinary art across Europe and the United States, and taught at Stevens Institute of Technology and the Illinois Institute of Art. He currently opines on technology in the public interest at Beyond the Frame and applies those ideas as the CTO of Yorba.

David is a technologist practicing at the intersection of computing and culture. He has worked on problems related to digital identity, reproducible data science, and software preservation, exhibited interdisciplinary art across Europe and the United... Show more

Aaron Williams (Artikyoul8)

Aaron Williams, known professionally as Artikyoul8 (pronounced Ar-tik-you-late), is a distinguished executive in the blockchain industry with a unique background in music. Born and raised in Jamaica, Aaron embarked on his musical career in the 90s, producing two albums and two mixtapes under the stage name Dj Aaron. After relocating to the United States, he continued to make significant strides in music, achieving notable success with national radio coverage for his singles across the country in 2019 following a seven-year hiatus.

Transitioning from music, Artikyoul8 pivoted to the Web 3.0 domain, immersing himself in the nuances of blockchain technology, cryptocurrencies, and NFTs. His dedication and insight into these technologies led him to become a recognized thought leader in the blockchain community. Aaron was honored to serve as a VIP speaker at NFTNYC, the world's foremost NFT conference, where he discussed pivotal topics like "NFTs & Social Media," "Education as the Key to Mass Adoption," and "Branding with NFTs," showcasing his expertise and vision for blockchain's future.

Currently, Aaron holds the position of Chief Growth Officer at Coreum Community DAO, where he harnesses his strategic acumen to drive community engagement and the adoption of Coreum's enterprise-grade blockchain solutions. Additionally, as Co-host of the SuperLedger Podcast, he plays a crucial role in fostering dialogue and education around blockchain technology, emphasizing the use of Coreum's smart token technology to build robust community solutions.

Artikyoul8's music remains accessible on all major streaming platforms, reflecting his diverse talents and contributions across both music and technology sectors. His journey from a music artist to a blockchain industry leader exemplifies his innovative spirit and commitment to pioneering in the digital age.

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Aaron Williams (Artikyoul8) Aaron Williams, known professionally as Artikyoul8 (pronounced Ar-tik-you-late), is a distinguished executive in the blockchain industry with a unique background in music. Born and raised in Jamaica, Aaron embarked on h... Show more

You can save your community!

You can save your community! Show more

Ryan Furrer is a frontend engineer specializing in React, Next.js, and TypeScript. With a background in music and procurement, he brings a unique perspective to web development. He is passionate about creating user-friendly and engaging online experiences.

When not coding, Ryan can be found hosting the Web Dev Dialogues podcast, streaming on YouTube and Twitch, or writing about the latest in frontend technology... or playing video games 👾

Ryan Furrer is a frontend engineer specializing in React, Next.js, and TypeScript. With a background in music and procurement, he brings a unique perspective to web development. He is passionate about creating user-friendly and engaging online experi... Show more

My career path took me all the way from teaching Foreign Languages at a University in Kazakhstan to teaching DAX and creating reports in Power BI in Switzerland.

My career path took me all the way from teaching Foreign Languages at a University in Kazakhstan to teaching DAX and creating reports in Power BI in Switzerland. Show more

Since 2008 working at Statnett, focusing on system operation and market. Have had several positions within Statnett control rooms and development of IT-systems both for asset monitoring and market control.
Now working in Statnett R&D department. Focusing on development of IT systems and methods for Future System operations and Market.
Holds a Master degree of Science in Energy and Environment from 2007 at NTNU Norwegian University of Science and Technology.

Since 2008 working at Statnett, focusing on system operation and market. Have had several positions within Statnett control rooms and development of IT-systems both for asset monitoring and market control. Now working in Statnett R&D department. Foc... Show more