Today we’d like to introduce you to Ross Bartels.
Ross, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I founded BOOM Designs in the summer of 2013 after over a decade in the field of industrial design. Over that decade, I started my design career in the model shop at Models Plus; learning techniques of the trade while studying the details of some of the most cutting-edge designs that came through the shop. After Models Plus, I became a lead designer with Motorola where I helped develop revolutionary products such as the RAZR & PEBL. Finishing up the decade, at Radio Flyer, I spent 3 years on the New Product Development team developing products 1-3 years out and 3 years on the Advanced Concepts team creating products that expanded the category roadmap.
I earned my MFA in Industrial Design from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and my BFA in Industrial Design from the University of Notre Dame.
Coming from an entrepreneurial family, I have always had a passion towards leading and driving a successful organization. Therefore, I decided to start BOOM Designs and have never looked back.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
There have been many obstacles and challenges along the way. One of the biggest challenges in my career was when I was laid off at Radio Flyer. It happened during a demanding, yet exciting time in my life as my wife and I were expecting our first baby in the fall, and I was let go that summer. However, the one thing that got me through this challenging time was the support system I had developed. My wife, family, friends, and former teammates know the type of person I am and encouraged me to follow my dreams in the design field. I started reaching out to everyone I worked for in the past and fortunately, one former colleague, Kim Lefko supported my venture. I landed my first project with Weber-Stephen Products. From there, word spread fast and BOOM Designs became a reality and I started to gather a strong team that had enthusiasm, initiative, and heart.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
BOOM Designs is a strategic global product-design firm specializing in solving complex problems with innovative design solutions. We build creative cultures and processes, facilitating new innovations and business opportunities. We bring concepts to reality.
Driving success in the marketplace is a collaborative process. We partner with our clients taking a user-centered design approach. Our unique process uncovers user needs and behaviors delivering a solution that connects with users without losing sight of business objectives. BOOM Designs takes pride in successfully designing the products, services, spaces, and experiences that fit with our clients’ brands.
Relationships are our biggest asset: We strive to be an extension of your team through a collaborative culture and partner with you in making your business thrive.
BOOM Designs – Developing Breakthrough Products.
What were you like growing up?
I grew up in a small country town of Colfax, IL where the population sign read 850. My parents owned the local grocery store: Bartels Super Market. My brothers and I were very lucky because we grew up in a safe town where everyone looked out for each other. We were also fortunate to receive a great early education at Ridgeview (K-12).
I was like every typical boy growing up in the 80’s. I loved Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, GI Joe, and Micro Machines. I enjoyed playing Mike Tyson Punch-Out with my brothers and listening to the Super Bowl Shuffle on vinyl. Collecting baseball cards was huge and we always wanted to grow up to ‘Be Like Mike’ (Michael Jordan).
Early on, I had a dream of becoming an inventor. I came up with some of the craziest things and my first invention came in 6th grade when I developed the ‘Portable Weenie Roaster,’ a device that was used to help hold up and rotate your hotdog stick at a campfire. Looking back, it makes sense why I turned out to be a product designer because it combines both engineering and art (two of my favorite fields in school).
What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
There have been several proud moments, but the one I will never forget is when the first product I ever designed from research to production hit the market. I remember walking into a Walmart and seeing the product on shelf and thinking to myself, ‘WOW!’
Fortunately, while I was standing there admiring the appearance of the product on shelf, a parent approached the box, looked at it, and put it into their cart. It was an unbelievable feeling to see a product, that you and the team you surround yourself with, spent hours researching, ideating, and developing, in store and being purchased. The product later went on to win several awards and become a huge success.
Contact Info:
- Address: BOOM Designs
Chicago address:
820 South Bishop Street
Chicago, IL 60607Cincinnati Address:
105 East Mills Avenue
Cincinnati, Ohio 45215 - Website: www.boomdesigns.com
- Phone: 312.420.7677
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/BOOM_Designs
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/boom-designs-chicago-3
- Other: https://www.pinterest.com/boomdesignsllc/
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