Dan Griner Email & Phone Number

Denver, Co, Us

Social Insight is an economic development tool using participatory design research, systems thinking and enabled by ai.

Denver, Co, Us

Denver, Co, Us

Denver, Co, Us

I am currently teaching the Fundamentals of Design for Engineering course at CU Denver. This course is a primer to introduce Mechanical, Bio, Electrical, Civil Engineers and Computer science students user-centered design methods, innovation techniques and industry methods for product development, organization, presentation and delivery of products. This is done through a hands-on PBL approach that not only teaches the necessary concepts, but requires they put them into practice in a real-time cross-functional team project.

Denver, Co, Us

The Smart Futures Lab is an EDA funded program that drives an incubator and accelerator for Smart City 5G technology solutions. Our focus is to bring a new majority to tech business leadership through thoughtful engagement and a supportive program.

Denver, Co, Us

Make4Covid is a community of makers, designers, and healthcare professionals working together to support the urgent needs of healthcare workers and first responders during this time of crisis.As a founding team member, my role has been to lead the design strategy and project teams (and whatever else that is needed!) in solving the shortages that are being experienced by our medical community. So far our community has grown to 2200 members is just 60 days and we have provided over 85,000 pieces of Personal Protective Equipment to those in need in the Colorado area.

Denver, Colorado, Us

Denver, Colorado, Us

MY ROLE: I expanded our company reach within the industry by charting new areas of development. I also created and managed our involvement and outreach within the design industry, in realization of company vision.MY IMPACT:-Presented scholarly publications, industry publications, press releases and external publications.-Designed, created, and maintained marketing assets, online presence, and social media presence.-Evaluated feasibility of design concepts, based on aesthetic appearances, safety, function, serviceability, budget, manufacturability, and market placement.-Researched existing product lines and new technologies to determine feasibility and market opportunities.-Partnered with clients; communicated and created presentations and briefs.-Tracked and provided status reports on projects; maintained time and overhead tracking.-Identified areas of potential for employee development, training, and career advancement.-Grew revenue by 120% in just 12 months after empowering team to utilize design process in customer-centric strategy.-Introduced business development plan to build and retain existing contacts while expanding market reach.

Fort Collins, Co, Us

MY ROLE: I directed a 11 member cross-functional design and CMF team and product development process with accountability for team budget, travel, education, and development. I worked directly with individual staff and outside members of executive teams to identify solutions to future projects using people management, internal issue resolution, and delivery of people-centric solutions. I was also responsible for the teams learning and development, driving them to improve internal processes and skills to meet new challenges.MY IMPACT:-Oversee work allocation, capacity forecasting, and future roadmap planning for design team. -Support planning and advocacy of education programming and curriculum development for the Otter Cares Project Heart ‘Entrepreneurship and Philanthropy’ Program.-Piloted new system to manage design team workflow; broke down major silos set up around the company and between departments by creating better aligned, cross-functional teams.-Empowered CMF&G team to own role and position within company; encouraged inward focus to drive initiative.-Initiatives undertaken in the first 6 months saved over 3K labor hours.-Identified areas of difficulty and led face-to-face meetings with all affected parties.-Outlined strategy and empowered design team to create design process for all new programs going forward. -Helped CMF&G team identify current duties and future needs; conducted RACI evaluation.-Enabled team to drive vision for department and identified clear roles for each of the members. -Currently working with increased efficiently as cohesive team with a double digit improvement in higher morale and job satisfaction in the most recent review.

MY ROLE: I managed this 501c3 community based non-profit and oversaw end-to-end event planning and event-day management.MY IMPACT:-Directed events including Maker Faire Denver, Sparks and Spirits, Colorado Inventor Showcase, and Rocky Mountain Maker Summit.-Engaged with Board of Directors to report on non-profit financial and operational status, upcoming event schedules, and community impact.

MY ROLE: I was recruited to teach a multi-disciplinary student body on the subject of Product design. I accomplished this by leading students through design and how to approach the daunting task of manufacturing, distribution, and sales. MY IMPACT:-Practiced designing with ergonomics and human factors, integration of embedded systems, the patent and IP protection process, and the many types of certification and regulation that must be met before it can be used by the public. -Introduced professionals in various fields to offer targeted insight about their respective industries and provide insight from local business owners on how to get to the next level.

Pune, Maharashtra, In

MY ROLE: I designed a comprehensive educational program matrix that progressively built skills for future designers. I also planned, managed, and built a large-scale workshop facility to serve the needs of over 500 students and established safety procedures, best practices protocol, and all budgeting and procurement. MY IMPACT:-Utilized UCD approach to allocate space for a variety of skill levels and ease of maintenance for shop staff. -Collaborated training and management of three shop staff and 19 educators.-Identified gap in education around tactile understanding of how a designer thinks through material choices; students left with understanding of craft, manufacturing, or how to execute designs in the real world.-Led two-week, in depth assessment to create outcomes-based learning improvement strategy.-Proposed four-year educational matrix starting in the first year, learning basic materials through project based learning and exercising design skills. -Delivered plans for the shop, toured the country and found safe machinery for students to use and staff to maintain.

Denver, Colorado, Us

MY ROLE: I lectured and demonstrated techniques and skills in concept design, portfolio preparation, entrepreneurship, business development, and professional practice. MY IMPACT:-Instruction in the use of sculptural form to create both prototypes and scale models of environments. -Taught color, material finishes, sheen, and pattern for industrial design and methods of application. also taught concept design, Environmental design, and portfolio design.

MY ROLE: I directed marketing strategy, sales, and consultation with clients. I also managed P&L, with forecasting and mapping of potential opportunities.MY IMPACT:-Responsible for estimating, sourcing materials, billing, accounts receivable/payable, and budgeting of projects. -Trained, hired, and managed 15-member team of designers and fabricators; oversaw outside vendors.

Herndon, Virginia, Us

Created content, events and collaborated to build and benefit the industrial design community of the Rocky Mountain area. Advising industrial design colleges and universities, working together with students and teachers to reinforce skills and industry ready programming. Collaborated with local youth groups and makerspaces to promote design and encourage creativity.

MY ROLE: I led staff training, built teams across park areas, established safety procedures, and maintained fire inspection standards. I also worked with the marketing team and vendors to promote special events and plan brand takeovers. MY IMPACT:-Directed educational program, serving student field trips from over 35 schools.-Trained staff to educate student visitors on plant growth cycle of corn and pumpkins, farming equipment and processes, livestock species and habits. -Attraction saw 9% growth in first year of plan with over 12,000 visitors in the month of October.

Was in charge of all day-to-day operations of a 48-unit co-working space. Helped grow membership from 30% to 90 % occupancy. Directing brand development, including events, social media, signage, graphic design and community outreach. Managed all maintenance, staying ahead of critical issues. Provided emergency on-call service to handle security and weather-related problems. Daily answering the needs of the clients to ensure smooth use of the facility and coordination with vendors and internal departments to execute solutions and outfitting of spaces for best use. Designing and creation of communal areas and public art spaces for casual enjoyment of clients and needed community spaces. Management of internal projects, teams and staff to meet targeted goals. Resolving of conflicts between members and finding solutions to ease shared space issues.

MY ROLE: I held accountability for the region of Jung-bu district schools (26 Schools). MY IMPACT:-Guided new teachers in their duties and adjusting to life in Korea. -Consulted and collaborated with Korean counterparts on educational initiatives and methods. -Resolved conflicts and acted as a resource for new teachers. -Worked as full-time educator and shared methods of successful implementation of initiatives as well as problem solving. -Created lesson plans, wrote textbooks, and created summer programs.

MY ROLE: I taught English conversation, grammar, literature and culture. MY IMAPCT:-Created special programs for advanced students and developmentally disabled students. -Designed original teaching materials and worksheets. -Prepared lesson plans to arc over multiple years. -Assisted with the creation of exchange student program between South Korea and the US.

Teaching Conversational English Assisting with Special ProgramsOne on One instruction Worked with all levels of StudentsAssisted with Judging and criteria of English Contests

MY ROLE: I led product development and marketing, sales, and consultation with clients. I held P&L accountability with forecasting and mapping of potential opportunities. I was responsible for estimating, sourcing materials, billing, accounts receivable/payable, and budgeting of projects. I also trained, hired and managed designers, fabricators and vendors and oversaw design direction and end-to-end management from initial concept until final implementation.SELECT PTOJECTS:-Denver Zoo- Design, construction, and installation of a permanent playground for polar bears.-Dinosaur Ridge- Construction and interpretation of Dinosaur Ridge scale model of proposed buildout.-City of Liberal Kansas- Design, construction and installation of a large-scale indoor play area for children.-City Of Liberal Kansas- Design and construction of permanent outdoor sculptures to represent the home of Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz.-Lafond FX- Design and construction of a full scale pirate ship for the Colorado Home show.-Stone Creek Racquet and Tennis Club- Design, interpretation and construction of a scale model of a proposed tennis and racquet club in Louisiana.-The Palava- Design, construction, and installation of signage, furniture, and themed elements for an African restaurant.

MY ROLE: I launched this automotive design and graphics startup where I designed graphics, logos, signage, and promotional pieces. I also oversaw creative direction of design team and client work. MY IMPACT:-Responsible for training of sales staff, demonstration, and client management. -Held full P&L accountability; managed contracts, marketing research, and forecasting. -Oversaw hiring, training, and scheduling over 20 employees to cover over 180 accounts in a three-city area. -Developed and launched multiple franchises in Chicago and Northern Indiana.

Bachelor Of Arts - Ba, Industrial Design

Korean Language Course