About Learning Resources
We are on a mission to
bring learning to life! We are Learning Resources® , and we have been helping parents and teachers build generations of amazing kids since 1984. Voted among the Chicago Tribune’s Top Workplaces in 2020, 2021 and 2022, we’re a 150-person strong, family-owned company on a mission to bring learning to life with our award-winning products, including Toy of the Year winners Tumble Trax®, Botley® the Coding Robot, and Coding Critters™. From ABCs and 123s to fine motor and STEM skills, our educational toys offer kids the building blocks they need to succeed in school and develop a lifelong love of learning. We pride ourselves on being committed to our employee’s personal and professional development, a thriving culture and a diverse, creative atmosphere. Along with our culture and competitive benefits package, we offer opportunities for training and development by Harvard and UCLA professors as well as in-demand, motivating external speakers. We are looking for professionals who are truly just kids at heart! We hope you’ll come join our award-winning team today!
Team & Position Description
We are seeking an Industrial Designer II to join our dynamic design team! What makes us stand out? We create award-winning, durable, and fun products for teachers, parents, children, and pets. Join us and be a part of something awesome!
What You’ll Do Day To Day
- Lead the creation of sketches, 3D models, renderings, and specification documents to effectively communicate design concepts internally and with outside vendors.
- Operate and manage 3D printers for creating models used in assembly reviews, user testing, and presentations.
- Lead user testing and online surveys to validate design concepts, ensuring alignment with market trends and user needs.
- Facilitate cross-functional product brainstorming sessions, driving innovation and problem-solving.
- Lead design reviews, providing critical feedback and ensuring continuous improvement in designs.
What We’re Looking For
- Design and prototype 15-20 products annually, ensuring timely delivery. This will involve a combination of children’s and pet products.
- Prepare 5-7 concepts for user testing through prototyping or renderings to gather valuable user data.
- Achieve a high level of proficiency in 3D printing and prototyping within the first 60 days.
- Conduct comprehensive research on the latest trends in both the toy and pet industries, utilizing this research to develop groundbreaking product ideas. Trend research should be conducted 2-3 times per year for each industry.
- Lead and participate in 2-3 continuous improvement projects within the product development and industrial design teams annually.
- Incorporate feedback from collaborative sessions into your design process, demonstrating strong adaptability and refinement skills.
- Deliver finished renderings for presentations, product reviews, and sales presentations 2-3 times annually.
Preferred
- Extensive experience with plastic materials and manufacturing processes.
- BS/BA in Industrial Design, Toy Design, or equivalent experience.
- Strong problem-solving skills with the ability to know when to seek input from others.
- Demonstrate ability to rapidly iterate design concepts, whether through sketches or 3D modeling.
- Proficiency in 3D CAD (Rhinoceros preferred) and rendering software (KeyShot).
- A portfolio showcasing innovative thinking and on-trend designs in consumer products, with a strong emphasis on toy design.
We are a drug-free workplace and an EEO employer.
Please note: This role will be filled by our internal recruitment team, so no assistance is needed from any outside staffing agency at this time.