Current Role

My current role is Director of Design for Worrell, a design, engineering, human factors, ux/ui and research firm dedicated to the advancement of healthcare, medical devices and surgical systems. My responsibilities include the management of our design functions across three countries. I establish the strategic vision of the design department, direct projects and manage our designers in Minneapolis, Shanghai and London. In my role, I partner with the other functions within Worrell to develop clear and executable solutions for our customers and clients

RESUME’

Greg Johnson

225 Portland Ave. Minneapolis, MN 55401 · (513) 833-1662

Email: gjohnny73@icloud.com

LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/greg-johnson-40aa561b/

Portfolio: thegregjohnson.com password: gooddesign

The drive to create is core to my nature. The opportunity to create for others is a privilege I don’t take for granted. My entire career has been dedicated to understanding the needs of users and translating those needs into solutions that not only meet the needs of the user, but exceed their expectations. I believe that no matter how small, what I create for my customers influences at least a moment in their lives. I believe that that moment needs to be considered and respected. Collaboration, exploration and observation are the keys to any successful design or vision. I always strive to form multi-disciplinary partnerships to understand problems and solutions from every angle and to verify my approaches with the target users. I have a broad and strong suite of skills from the technical to the artistic/aesthetic. I believe I bring a unique, proven and adaptable outlook on design and am driven to bring success to the programs and people associated with my work.

Experience:

Director of design, wOrrelL

Dates: February 2019 to Current

In my current position as Director of Design for Worrell, I lead the Design functions across our three global locations of Minneapolis, London and Shanghai. I manage 10+ designers and interns as well as directing multiple Research, Human factors, Engineering and UX/UI in a project manager capacity. I was brought in to grow the ID capabilities to serve our impressive client list, including Medtronic, Abbot, Boston Scientific, Johnson & Johnson, Smith and Nephew, BD and many others. I have worked to successfully grow our client list by integrating multiple business functions (HF, Engineering, Research and UX/UI) into a solutions-based service as opposed to an ala carte’ service model. I firmly believe that good design comes from strong collaborations and leveraging the inputs of a plurality of partners. In addition to my director roll, I am also part of the Worrell leadership team contributing to our strategy of global growth and impacting healthcare world-wide. I have a passion for the future of medical device development and the changes that will impact this field in the next 10-20 years. I have shared this research at the Medical Device and Development conference as a speaker in 2019 at Harvard Medical School. I hold my designers and their work to the highest standard, focusing on in-field exposure to their customers, clients and procedures. I believe in a high level of technical competency in design and champion the personal and professional growth of the people under my charge.

ID/HF Robotics tool team lead, IDHF Innovation Lead, JOhnson & Johnson

Dates: 2005 To January 2018

My most recent role at Johnson & Johnson was managing the design and integration of tools for use on the Verb Surgical robotics system (a Google and Johnson & Johnson collaboration). I oversaw all aspects of the design and usability of over 21 unique surgical tools for use on the Verb surgical robot as well as being a partner and subject matter expert contributing to the overall system design. I have a proven track record of being a self-starter who has contributed heavily to the product and intellectual property pipeline across multiple Johnson & Johnson operating companies. Throughout my tenure at J&J, I have led multiple programs, been granted over 70 patents, and received multiple internal and industry design awards, including IDEA and iF awards. I bring a unique balance of technical, usability, and aesthetic skills to projects and problems. I am well versed in multiple CAD and design programs and have a strong foundation in research methodology and execution. My well-rounded and extensive experience from front end through launch in product development has provided me a unique perspective on high intensity programs where collaboration, cost and time are of extreme importance.

Senior Designer, Kaleidoscope

Dates: 2001 to 2005

As East Coast Design Lead I managed accounts such as Symbol technologies (Motorola), TDK, and more. I was able to hone my design skills and became well versed in all major CAD and design packages and broaden my leadership experience. This role gave me my first real exposure to leading a variety of projects simultaneously.

Designer, Ethicon Johnson & Johnson

Dates: 1999 to 2001

I was hired after graduation to join the Ethicon Design team. Ethicon was known to be an excellent design proving ground and a place to rapidly learn good design principles and the tools to execute them. My role at that time was supporting the Energy franchise, focusing on hand-held advanced energy devices for laparoscopic surgery.

Education:

Bachelor of Science, Industrial Design, THe Ohio State University

1992-1999

After switching my major to Industrial Design in 1995, I initiated and participated in an unofficial fledgling co-op program that had not been in place prior. My co-op experience encompassed 4 quarters between 1997-1999 including:

Procter and Gamble: Corporate Packaging and Prototype Development (two rotations)

Procter and Gamble: Design Department

Ethicon Endo-Surgery: ID/HF dept.

Study Abroad: University of Industrial Arts (UIAH), Helsinki, Finland

1998

I initiated the first study abroad opportunity for Industrial Design at The Ohio State University. I established the connection between OSU and UIAH, the premier design university in Finland. The opportunity gave me exposure to a multitude of sponsored corporate projects and provided me a perspective on design beyond the U.S. view. It was an incredibly positive experience that did a lot to mature my understanding of Industrial Design and its importance.

Skills:

I am well versed in most design and industry software packages, including:

o Alias (level 3 master certified)

o Solidworks

o Photoshop

o Illustrator

o Sketchbook Pro

o Keyshot

o Microsoft Suite

o Gant Pro

I have a strong track record of inclusive collaboration across multi-disciplinary teams such as Engineering, Marketing, Quality etc.

I am quick to learn and adaptable.
I have an ability to quickly synthesize information and rapidly leverage that into strong design solutions. I was frequently brought into programs where time was short and the outcome was critical.
Technical know-how is a strength of mine. I hold over 70 utility patents, several design patents and multiple published ideas.
I have a strong history as a leader. Over the years, I have led many teams and managed many outside design firms, research houses, prototype shops, and engineering firms.

SERVICE:

I try to give back to my organization and community and have held leadership roles on multiple charitable and community programs including:

Campus Liaison for Operation Smile: Operation Smile is an organization that provides free surgery to children in developing nations suffering from facial deformities. The money raised by Operation Smile has changed thousands of lives allowing these children to grow up without the shame, pain and ostracization that often accompanies their correctable handicaps. In my role as Operation smiles liaison, I led the fundraising campaigns within the Cincinnati campus.
United Way Department Lead: I have led The United Way community service programs for my department for several years. In my role, I was in charge of identifying organizations and individuals in need of volunteer services. I managed and organized all aspects of these activities.
Professional volunteer for iSpace: I volunteer my time for iSpace. iSpace is an organization that promotes opportunities in science, math and aerospace in underserved communities. I worked with these children on how to take their ideas and prototype them. My time with iSpace was incredibly inspiring. It was always a good reminder for me that creativity needs to be fostered and that doing so results in exceptional ideas from young minds.
Guest lecturer at Miami University School of Engineering: I have been a guest lecturer for 2 years, teaching a one-day course on Human Centered Design to graduating seniors with a focus on Biomedical Engineering. I was approached by Dr. Foster Stulen of Miami University to share the principles and importance of usability, customer input, and good design techniques to apply when the students ultimately enter the industry.

ACHIEVEMENTS:

I hold 70 patents with the U.S. Patent Office
I have multiple published ideas with the U.S. Patent Office
Ethicon J&J top tier of the Patent Wall of Fame
2009 iF Design Award winner
2018 IDEA Silver award winner
J&J Innovation Conference presenter for new business opportunities
2016 Ethicon People’s Choice Award winner for Innovation
2019 speaker on the Future of Medical device design at the MD&D conference Harvard Medical School