Simon Needle Email & Phone Number

Bishop’S Stortford, England, United Kingdom

A 4 month contract covering paternity leave, providing Packaging R&D and innovation support.

London, United Kingdom

I established Haystack Design initially operating full-time for 18 months and now part-time as a freelance packaging & product designer. I work with entrepreneurs, creative agencies and manufacturers to efficiently develop often technically complex concepts into efficient production ready designs. Working from ideation through to structural engineering and specification for manufacture I have completed numerous projects developing retail packaging solutions, identifying cost reduction… Show more I established Haystack Design initially operating full-time for 18 months and now part-time as a freelance packaging & product designer. I work with entrepreneurs, creative agencies and manufacturers to efficiently develop often technically complex concepts into efficient production ready designs. Working from ideation through to structural engineering and specification for manufacture I have completed numerous projects developing retail packaging solutions, identifying cost reduction opportunities and defining visual languages across product ranges. A packaging design project for the Drift HD camera received a 2012 Red Dot Award for Design Communication. Show less

London, United Kingdom

A strategic role to assess internal development capabilities, identify opportunities for longer term Innovation, maximise manufacturing and sourcing efficiencies and streamline the packaging component portfolio whilst presenting a cohesive and navigable product range to our customers. Initially working on Innovation projects only, I later absorbed the management of the Packaging Development function (4 Packaging Technologists and Packaging Lab Technician) to provide guidance and leadership… Show more A strategic role to assess internal development capabilities, identify opportunities for longer term Innovation, maximise manufacturing and sourcing efficiencies and streamline the packaging component portfolio whilst presenting a cohesive and navigable product range to our customers. Initially working on Innovation projects only, I later absorbed the management of the Packaging Development function (4 Packaging Technologists and Packaging Lab Technician) to provide guidance and leadership through all NPD and EPD projects within the company, embedding a focus on sustainability, rationalisation and cost saving into all projects whilst enhancing packaging design and quality perception.• Working closely with Marketing Director, board and owners to define top level objectives and packaging strategy.• Management of all packaging development budgets feeding into the company P&L.• Identifying and on-boarding new suppliers to deliver cost savings, quality and capability improvements whilst enabling development of bespoke componentry with enhanced sustainability credentials (30% +PCR content, NIR detectable).• Creative direction and structural development of seasonal ranges across multiple product and packaging formats. Initially working on the concept ideation, visualisation and artwork layouts myself before handing over to artworkers for roll out.• Management of internal designers & artworks, freelance illustrators and technical specialists to deliver production ready designs to our printing partners. Direct development with board suppliers, die manufacturers and tooling companies. Show less

London, United Kingdom

London, United Kingdom

Accountable for the creation of 3D design solutions from concept to production for all new product development. Primarily focused on packaging, this role also encompasses product and all other 3-dimensional requirements. Proactively evolve, and sustain the representation of the Hotel Chocolat brand values throughout all 3-dimensional design.

Cuba To Argentina

I spent 5 months travelling through Central and South America, taking the opportunity to learn about new cultures and develop my Spanish language skills.

London, United Kingdom

Pacific Direct is a globally recognised licensee, manufacturer and supplier of branded guest toiletries and luxury hotel amenities. Responsible for the design and development of all packaging items from conception through to high volume manufacture within a variety of global manufacturers. Design lead for all new brand development, translating retail products into a suitable format for the hotel industry as well as proposing new concept ideas directly to brands ensuring they were in-line with… Show more Pacific Direct is a globally recognised licensee, manufacturer and supplier of branded guest toiletries and luxury hotel amenities. Responsible for the design and development of all packaging items from conception through to high volume manufacture within a variety of global manufacturers. Design lead for all new brand development, translating retail products into a suitable format for the hotel industry as well as proposing new concept ideas directly to brands ensuring they were in-line with their existing guidelines. Project management for complete product (pack & formulation) during new brand partnerships until launch, managing project timelines and costings. Management of all artwork within the company often consisting of large numbers of SKU’s across diverse product ranges, manufacturers and language clusters, and managing approval both internally and by brand partners. Line management of in-house designers as well as a Packaging Technologist based in the main factory in the Czech Republic. Active involvement with all functions within the company including Liquid Development, Regulatory, Marketing, Production, Sales and Supply Chain and with the Global Leadership team. Responsible for packaging supplier approval and selection and involved in selection of supply partners within other functions. Regular international travel within Europe and the Far-East to visit customers, brands and suppliers.I identified that the existing artwork process was causing a number of issues during development and provided poor traceability following completion. In order to build greater efficiency in artwork creation and provide critically needed traceability. I was responsible for the procurement, implementation and integration of a cloud-based software solution to manage artwork development and approval together with asset management across the global company including the translation of assets onto the new platform. Show less

Bishops Stortford, Hertfordshire / London

Based within the Global Design Team the main focus of this role was Technical Development leadership, driving pace and efficiency throughout the design process. A multifaceted role split between support of technically/structurally complex gifting & packaging projects as well as dispense product development. Recruitment, line management and coaching of junior designers, design engineer and prototyping technicians.Intervention with packaging manufacturers and creative agencies to… Show more Based within the Global Design Team the main focus of this role was Technical Development leadership, driving pace and efficiency throughout the design process. A multifaceted role split between support of technically/structurally complex gifting & packaging projects as well as dispense product development. Recruitment, line management and coaching of junior designers, design engineer and prototyping technicians.Intervention with packaging manufacturers and creative agencies to overcome manufacturing/design issues and ensure that the production design retained the original design intent, whilst meeting supply and production line requirements. Development and management of a network of prototyping/packaging mock-up agencies and suppliers. Project management of global dispense products, working across all areas from ideation & design development through to procurement, commercialisation, certification, testing and delivery into market. Owning COGS, budgets, timelines and risk assessments for all dispense font activities and feeding into the overall marketing plans. Engineering of production ready dispense products specifying materials, manufacturing process, assembly and testing procedures and ensuring that all technical, consumer and customer requirements are met. Review, evaluation and selection of manufacturer proposals. Organising and leading factory visits within Europe and the Far East to review production, resolve issues and quality check finished units.I built a business case and secured budget to create an in-house Design & Prototyping Suite and embedded its use within packaging project teams. I designed and project managed the internal remodelling and building work which included facilities for a photographic studio, prototyping Lab, CNC mill, 3D printers, a spray room and flexible meeting space. After its creation I was responsible for the management of the Design Suite including departmental budgets for software and hardware resources. Show less

Bishops Stortford, Hertfordshire

A varied role within the Innovation function of Diageo, a leading alcoholic beverage company. Working within globally diverse project teams of marketeers, scientists and engineers across NPD activities for packaging, POS, dispense equipment and other branded products. Sketching, photography, 3D development, artwork creation and visualisation of concepts whilst adhering to strict brand guidelines and category semiotics for use in marketing research and focus groups. Technical development… Show more A varied role within the Innovation function of Diageo, a leading alcoholic beverage company. Working within globally diverse project teams of marketeers, scientists and engineers across NPD activities for packaging, POS, dispense equipment and other branded products. Sketching, photography, 3D development, artwork creation and visualisation of concepts whilst adhering to strict brand guidelines and category semiotics for use in marketing research and focus groups. Technical development, engineering, prototyping and management of packaging and product concepts requiring knowledge of glass forming, metal fabrication, injection moulding, die casting, printing techniques, electronics and traditional model-making processes as well as testing and certification requirements to allow use in-trade and by consumers.I oversaw the introduction of a dedicated Concept Development IT network and its integration with the existing Diageo IT infrastructure and in-house packaging prototyping equipment (Dimension FDM, label mock-ups). I completed a one-month secondment in the United States, supporting North American projects and training team members in design development, CAD, rendering and the used of on-site prototyping equipment. During this role I managed the design and prototyping phase of ‘The Apprentice’ Series 6 Final for Talkback Thames. I coordinated the production team, design agencies and suppliers, enabling the design, production and photography of spirits bottle mock-ups in under 12 hours. This required significant planning, stakeholder management and development of new prototyping techniques to meet the tight constraints of the filming schedule. Show less

London, United Kingdom

Design, coding and maintenance of websites for small businesses, individual Taekwon-Do schools and national associations. Initially self-taught, I developed skills in Visual Basic, ActionScript, JavaScript, CSS, SQL and ASP for the development of dynamic websites, database driven web applications and standalone applications.

Loughborough

Development of enclosure and components for an innovative football training and analysis product. I advised on manufacturing & assembly considerations and liaised with production and marketing specialists.

Gillette Advanced Technology Centre - Reading

Student placement based within Gillette’s Advanced Technology Centre. Ideation and development of innovative wet shave, electric & hybrid concepts. Development, engineering & project management of concepts through to low volume production and testing. Management and operation of the internal prototyping and vacuum casting department.

Msc, Industrial Design

Major Design Project: Development of 'BeatBox', an impact analysis system for use in Martial Arts to replace traditional breaking.

Beng (Hons), Product Design And Manufacture

Activities and Societies: Loughborough Students TaeKwon-Do

A-Levels, Physics, Maths And French