BOTZEN DESIGN 2013 A Year In Review

Dec. 31, 2013 - PRLog -- WOW! What a year of design success it has been this year at the Botzen (https://go.madmimi.com/redirects/1388526049-bede7378addbfef5df26ca74d484e63c-62c0017?pa=19472292485) studio!

This year has absolutely flown by with so many successful design projects and new clients I don’t even know where to start…..Youtube (https://go.madmimi.com/redirects/1388526049-9e6012fccb43521a279af9df8cd62d03-62c0017?pa=19472292485) anyone? My design videos (https://go.madmimi.com/redirects/1388526049-b36059fd43360bd75b213121101026e7-62c0017?pa=19472292485) have gotten a bit of exposure this past year, over 85,000 views and I suddenly have over 600 subscribers to my channel! Recently, I was featured on the Prismacolor facebook page for the black and white Prismacolor pencil sketch that I did. Next year, I hope to publish a few more design videos, so look for those throughout the year.

A few of the products that I had the pleasure of designing last year made their way into production in 2013 including; The EL shutter shades that I designed for Lift Audio (https://go.madmimi.com/redirects/1388526049-786d346de9974...) as well as the Saferide vehicle adapter from Saferide (https://go.madmimi.com/redirects/1388526049-734747093a3fa...).

This past year also saw the addition of a 3D printer (https://go.madmimi.com/redirects/1388526049-388592d637b54...) into my arsenal of design tools in the workshop at my studio. This tool has changed the landscape for product design in so many ways. Testing forms, ideas and concepts has never been easier than now with in-house 3D printing capabilities.

I was also lucky enough to do some design work for a few new clients that were looking for some fresh ideas, including concepts for an Aluminum Multifunctional Carabiner, a kids GPS bracelet for Precise Innovation, LLC (https://go.madmimi.com/redirects/1388526049-10400996d1a1201776b31c28f5606cff-62c0017?pa=19472292485), some drinking fountain concepts for Haws Corporation (https://go.madmimi.com/redirects/1388526049-0b8c2ba209236f1880a7a22080685864-62c0017?pa=19472292485) out of Nevada and some really fun design research projects for Zingermans (https://go.madmimi.com/redirects/1388526049-57d47c538b6bedbd75ebdace0cd8c33a-62c0017?pa=19472292485) right here in Ann Arbor Michigan.

I have also been working on some dramatic Sci-Fi play toys for a client for most of the year. I can not reveal anymore than that. The toys should be available for retail purchase in Spring 2014. If you are at the Spielwarenmesse (https://go.madmimi.com/redirects/1388526049-79e9a195cfa561c2c856358874034cea-62c0017?pa=19472292485) in Nürnberg Germany in January you will get to see them debut OR if you are in New York City at the Toy Fair (https://go.madmimi.com/redirects/1388526049-eef69fdde93f099809b9519afbfe352d-62c0017?pa=19472292485) in February you will get to see me and I can show them to you personally! I am so excited for these toys that I have laboured over since June when the project began. To see them go from concept to prototype then to production in the time span of the last 6 months has been truly amazing! I am bursting with excitement and can’t wait to go to the Toy Fair and see them with all the other amazing toys at the show!

Also, I will also be teaching again very soon in January 2014 at Wayne State University (https://go.madmimi.com/redirects/1388526049-d6282c9ca2c607f63d2928e185ad3003-62c0017?pa=19472292485) starting in a few weeks after a hiatus of a few years. I will be teaching the Design Studio class to the Juniors and graduating Seniors. It is one of my favorite things to do in life. I truly enjoy teaching and giving back to the world about what I am most passionate about, Design!

I already have a few new projects underway for the beginning of the year and am sure many more exciting ones will present themselves over the next 12 months. I am looking forward to another great year.

I want to wish each of you a Happy New Year to you and your families!

Best wishes

Eric Strebel