360.774.6308
nolanleh@gmail.com
Bellingham, WA
Education
Work
Bachelors of Science Industrial Design // Sustainable Design.
Western Washington University
2013
Basic Welding Bellingham Technical College 2008 Associates in Arts Peninsula College
Innovation Designer
FreeRangePDX // Leatherman Tools
2007
January-August 2014
Part of a group tasked with developing new market product concepts and prototypes for the Leatherman and LED Lenser Brands Design Intern
Gerber Legendary Blades
July 2011- August 2012
Inherited responsibilities of Senior Designer for a period of six months while new leadership was recruited. Contributed to the development of 30+ products and gained extensive knowledge of the knife and tool industry engineering and manufacturing Bicycle Restorer
Building, customizing and restoring classic bicycles built between 1935-1960 as well modernizing vintage road bikes. Whitewater Raft Guide
Assistant Boatman and Guide with over 250 river days on many western rivers including the Colorado and Tatshinshini in Alaska
Achievements
Best Motorcycle Bellingham Technical College Annual Car and Motorcycle Show, for my custom 1937 motorized bicycle, 2009. 3rd Place Mount Baker Plywood Project for Cove Desk design, 2009.
1st and 3rd consecutive placements in Tidepools, an annual Arts and Literary magazine produced by Peninsula College in Port Angeles, WA. Submitted photos featured as cover art, 2006 and 2007.
References
Joe Mattson Gerber Sr. Brand Manager joe.mattson@gmail.com
Bill Raczkowski Gerber Hunting Category Manager 503.403.1248 bill.raczkowski@gerbergear.com Andy Phillips
Black Fin Design/BTC Welding Instructor
360.510.7562
andy@blackfindesign.com
Arunas Oslapas WWU Industrial Design Professor 360.650.3425 arunas.oslapas@wwu.edu
gerber moment fixed blade, 2011
ERGONOMICS
Since 1939 Gerber Knives has represented high quality and classic designs. This knife pulled inspiration from the company’s early streamlined cutlery, then modernized with rubberized grips and improved ergonomics. Its diamond shaped handle is specialized to fit the many unique grips required when field dressing an animal.
BG ultimate pro, 2012
INNOVATION
Within two years after its release, the original Bear Grylls Ultimate became the best selling knife of all time. When given the opportunity to design the Ultimate FB Pro, I had to make a great knife better. The new knife features improved ergonomics, sturdier construction and all new sheath design. With a streamlined design including built-in self aligning carbide sharpeners, upright fire rod placement and easier to use hidden pocket for Bear Grylls Priorities of Survival.
Whizzer motorbike, 2010-2013
MECHANICS
Using hand picked antique components and custom made parts, this motorbike was carefully built to evoke the look and feel of the barn forged motorcycles of the 1920’s. Its engine comes from a 1947 bicycle conversion kit, connected to a handmade fuel tank. Upgraded with larger piston and aftermarket head, it is capable of 45 MPH. Soon to be featured on bikeexif.com, a leading custom motorcycle blog.
FURNITURE
Constructed for a competition with Mt Baker Plywood, this children’s desk is CNC cut and engineered for easy assembly, allowing the construction process to be built with the child. The design received a $1000 scholarship and was used as the title image on blogs and local publications. It is currently in its fourth year of hard use by three cousins.
SUSTAINABILITY
This 1/6th scale model was constructed for a playhouse design competition for the local nonprofit Sustainable Connections. Titled Pallet Playhouse it uses recycled shipping pallets to support vertical garden walls.
martini cart, 2013
SCULPTURE
This martini cart is constructed from aluminum and glass formed around a central ice vessel. Designed to create an intimate connection between people. Built after 3 months of intensive research, ideation and prototyping, this model uses laser cut and CNC bent surfaces as well as 3D printed and hand machined components. The twelve student designs were unveiled at our senior exhibition at Mithun Architects in Seattle.
bike tool/light, 2011
INVENTION
One of three designs created as part of a industry sponsored project with Gerber Knives, this multi-tool combines many common bicycle tools with a LED light. Utilizing one of the few universal components in the bicycle industry, it attaches to the mounting rails of a seat. This provides ideal positioning for a tail light and convenient, out of the way placement for a tool. Spring forced latches provide quick attachment and are also used to push tools out of the frame for easier selection.
martini cart caster process, 2013
SKILLS
Design
Sketching 2D Product Design Rendering
Softgoods Product Manual Illustrations Material Exploration
Office
Color and Branding Documents
Prototype Alteration Documents
Mac and Windows
Custom Illustrator Workspaces Product Photography Group Ideation
Shop
Model Making 3D Printer Operation Basic Welding
Mechanical Prototypes
Water Jet/Laser Part Design
Materials Knowledge
Software
Adobe Illustrator Photo-realistic vector rendering, soft goods design, mechanical design, and graphics Adobe Photoshop Photo-realistic rendering, sketch rendering, photo editing and altering Adobe InDesign Project book design, presentations and graphics Solidworks Solid modeling for rendering/3D printing/machining Keyshot 4 CAD renderings
Catalyst Dimension 3D Printing
home shop, 2013
LIFE
Brought up by a family of artists, makers and adventurers, I absorbed a combination of skills from woodworking to white water rafting. At university I was able to refine my craft in the studio while exploring the northwest by sea, snow and trail.
THANK YOU