Hi, I'm Nate Shirley

Tinkerer. Futurist. Designer.

Hi, I'm Nate Shirley

Tinkerer. Futurist. Designer.

As an experienced designer, I build up designers and design teams from within.  I craft an environment of trust and mutual respect, where ideas come to play, and the good ones win.
I’m driven by an innate curiosity for behavior, aesthetics, materials, and technology to search for robust, poetic solutions to complex problems. I paint the big picture, and weave opposing considerations into a clean narrative others can rally around and contribute to. I’ve cultivated the pragmatic design skills and tactful influence necessary to guide ideas through the complexities of a corporation to fruition.
I thrive in ambiguity and enjoy engaging in contextual research, both foreign and domestic, helping teams synthesize insights into powerful experiences.  I have a firm grasp of high volume, cost-effective materials and production processes and a proven track record of strong product launches, and sustained volumes. 
I've fully embraced the potential of parametric and generative design to more readily meet the challenges of tomorrow, and am incredibly interested in how sustainability, mass customization, additive manufacturing and the augmentation of human capabilities and senses will define the future.


Recommendations
"Nathan's intuitive and authentic nature allows him to interpret the needs of the user into entirely unique design solutions. He's an absolute delight to collaborate with while managing creativity under high stress, folding small budgets into products that sing, and keeping an unflinching eye on what's possible."
Leah Noble Davidson
CEO @ Because Human
"Having a strong sense for great user experience and an ability to articulate it, he has consistently pushed past expert industrial design to a better integration with the overall product experience, creating a larger impact on product success. He works tirelessly on the details all the while being a superb collaborator across design and product teams. Add to all that the curiosity and tinkering nature of a mad scientist and you round out his definition."
Chris Rives
Experience Design Architect @ HP

"Nathan and I were managers together. He is a level-headed leader that at times challenges the status-quo yet encourages collaboration within a cross-functional team. He knows how to drive for change and works well with the members of his design team. In addition, Nathan is flexible which was essential in the dynamic environment in which we found ourselves. He's a pleasure to work with, is technically capable, and possesses a warmth that most leaders lack."
Teresa Arthur
Engineering Manager @ Tupperware


"Nate is one of my favorite Industrial Designers.  I cannot overemphasize his penchant for building excellent hardware that delights in its beauty and usability.  He doesn't aim for small changes that may sell new products; his goal is to enable a product and its user to synchromesh.  There is a sensitivity he pours into everything he designs and invariably a user-friendly work of art results. He has an affinity for finesse and coaxing out a design's personality."
Jay Myers
Sr. UX Designer @ Oracle
"Nathan and I collaborated on enabling Augmented Reality features in a companion-app for our product. Working with Nathan was a breath of fresh air. We were both out of our comfort zones learning the techniques and technologies being employed; Nathan's drive, inquisitiveness, and collaborative work style got us through the challenges we faced. Nathan's mastery navigating hard engineering constraints while pushing the envelope and innovating really stands out."
Bruno Dal Bo Silva
Software Engineer @ Google

"Nathan always gave me the perfect amount of freedom and support. I was able to own my projects, but he was always there in case I got off track. I felt comfortable approaching him and sharing ideas, and he always had my back in a way that drove me to deliver my best.  His feedback, as a manager and as a designer is helpful and always respectful. He is honest and creates a healthy team atmosphere.  If he asked me to be part of his team again, I would say yes in a blink."
Sara Delgado Carmona
Industrial Designer @ Tupperware

"As my manager, he helped me fit in this new environment quickly. While giving me thoughtful design recommendations, he also allowed me enough room to create what I believe in. His spirit to pursue the perfect balance among aesthetics, function and cost will always be something I look up to."
Xinyi Wang
Industrial Designer @ Tupperware


Working with Nathan was a fortunate opportunity for me; He's an amazing industrial designer with natural leadership qualities who advances the organization by effectively leveraging the skills of those he interacts with. He was able to bring the best out of me in open and productive collaboration.  I’m amazed at his skill to morph mechanical detail into an organic shape without loss of functionality.
Mark Terrill 
Senior Product Design Engineer @ Tupperware

     Experience
Experience & Computational Design Architect
HP, 3.20-current, Vancouver WA
Industrial Design Expert / Team Lead
HP, 9.16-3.20, Vancouver WA

Design Manager / 
Lead Industrial Designer 
Tupperware, 06.11-09.16, Orlando FL

Industrial Design Consultant 
Tupperware, 12.09-06.11, Provo UT
Recognition
PC Magazine Editor's Choice for HP Sprocket Select as Designer.
PC Magazine Editor's Choice for HP Sprocket 2nd Gen as Designer.
iF Design Award 2019 for HP Tango X Printer as supporting designer/reviewer.
iF Design Award 2019 for Tupperware Stacking Thermal Container Set as design manager.
iF Design Award 2019 for Tupperware MicroPro Series Grill as design manager.
Good Design 2018 for HP Sprocket 2-in-1 as supporting designer.
IDEA 2018 Featured Finalist for HP Sprocket 2-in-1 as supporting designer.
HP Innovation Award 2018 for HP IOT Futures Concepts for extraordinary innovation.
Good Design 2018 for Tupperware Generation II Eco Bottle as designer.
Red Dot 2018 for Tupperware Slim Lunch Container as design manager.
Red Dot 2018 for Tupperware Click-to-Go as design manager.
Good Design 2018 for Tupperware Slim Lunch Container as design manager.
Red Dot 2017 The Best of the Best for Tupperware MicroPro Series Grill as design manager.
Red Dot 2017 for Tupperware Drinking Flask Gen II as design manager
iF Design Award 2017 for Tupperware Water Bottle with Infuser as design manager.
Good Design 2017 for Tupperware Infuser Water Bottle as design manager.
Good Design 2017 for Tupperware MicroPro Grill as design manger.
Green Good Design 2017 for Tupperware Drinking Flask Gen II as design manager.
Green Good Design 2016 for Infuser Water Bottle as design manager.
iF Design Award 2016 for Tupperware Click-to-Go as design manager.
Good Design 2016 for Tupperware Carry-All as design manager.
Good Design 2016 for Tupperware RiceSmart as designer.
iF Design Award 2016 for Tupperware RiceSmart as designer.
Red Dot 2015 for Tupperware Smart Savers as co-designer.
Green Good Design 2015  for Tupperware Juist as designer.
Good Design 2016 for Tupperware Eco Prep Fruit Juicer as designer.
Green Good Design 2015 for Tupperware Printable Eco Bottle 750 ml as designer.
Compasso d’Oro 2015 for Tupperware RiceSmart as designer.
Green Good Design 2014 for Tupperware Loli Tup Lunch boxes as designer.
Green Good Design 2014 for Tupperware Modular Mates II as co-designer.
Good Design 2014 for Tupperware Smart Savers as co-designer.
Projekt K 2014 Product of the Year for Tupperware VentSmart as  designer.
Good Design 2014 for Tupperware VentSmart as designer.
Green Good Design 2014 for Tupperware VentSmart as designer.
Red Dot 2013 Honorable Mention for Tupperware VentSmart as designer.
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