James Otteson was born outside of Chicago but has moved a few times along the eastern united states before landing in North Carolina to study Product Design at Appalachian State University. He is a senior in design and the recipient of The Paperboard Packaging Alliance as well as a finalist in the 2019 Kikkerland sponsored studio based on a sustainability design challenge. He acted as the lead design consultant for NuTrace Instrument Tracking to develop the NUX-20NG, a surgical instrument laser marker. He is finishing his degree to utilize the design process to intuitively problem solve through cost-effective and efficient ways in an effort to create a better future for us all.