Today we’d like to introduce you to Chris Cunningham.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Chris. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
As a child, I always had an extra dose of curiosity. We traveled from our native Chicago to Michigan to the Kellogg’s factory when I was about 10 years old. I remember I was baffled by the enormity of the manufacturing process and became especially interested in how things were made. A later trip to Detroit’s Henry Ford museum further fueled my inquisitiveness and desire to create. As a kid, I used to take things apart, making vacuums into go-carts, always working to reconfigure things into new solutions.
Never straying far from Chicago, I studied industrial design at the University of Illinois at Chicago. I’ve been able to retain my childlike curiosity for things, which has boosted my success through a myriad of jobs. An early position involved designing video game controls for coin-operated games (back in the day!) I’ve worked in-house at companies and at agencies where I’ve designed a range of products from Swingline staplers to McDonald’s happy meal toys to Wrigley’s gum and mint experiences.
Has it been a smooth road?
It has been a really good road – not always smooth but overall an enjoyable career because I love what I do. There are typical challenges that come from corporate and agency environments. And, I’ve learned that successful design in the marketplace is sometimes a careful balance of compromise. There are many intersections in a business that makes a product successful. It’s been rewarding if not sometimes challenging to learn about other perspectives and see through other lenses.
It has helped me produce more successful products that take into account manufacturing processes, marketing, and retailer relationships. When the needs of consumers and customers are met and manufacturing is fine-tuned, it enables well-designed products to get in the hands of consumers. Overall, the challenges I have faced have been learning experiences and have helped me become a better designer.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
I thrive on delivering engaging experiences that delight users. It is extremely satisfying to offer people unexpected surprises, ease of use, and improved interaction in everyday products. I’m proud of my ability to bring those elements of design to a variety of industries.
Aside from my current role on the Global Design Team at Mars Wrigley Confections, I am always looking to tackle new challenges and create better experiences where improvement is needed. What sets me apart? I’ve been told I’m uniquely friendly. I tend to tackle big projects in a light-hearted results-oriented way.
What are your plans for the future? What are you looking forward to or planning for – any big changes?
I plan to continue to grow and deliver experiences in new and unique ways that address users needs. I’ve enjoyed dipping my toe in different industries and empathizing with different types of consumers. Outside of my daily work, I will continue to engage on Instagram with ideas and thoughts, counsel and mentor other designers, and nurture strong, lasting relationships built on delivering great experiences.
Someday, I’d love to develop a line of furniture and build my own house. Ideas have been stewing in my mind for a long time and I hope to bring it fruition in the future, creating the ultimate living experience for my family.
Contact Info:
- Address: 1007 Harris Road
- Website: www.chriscunninghamdesign.com
- Phone: 6302059444
- Email: chriscunninghamdesign@gmail.com
- Instagram: @chriscunninghamdesign
- Twitter: @chriscunninghamdesig
Image Credit:
TimberJack LLC
Peter Rossi Productions
Mike Anderson from good vybes daily.
Getting in touch: VoyageChicago is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
