Jacob Ballard
Design Leadership | Building High-Performing Teams | Driving Human-Centered Innovation & Business Growth | Mentor & Culture Builder
- Role
- Manager, Industrial Design at Newell Brands
- Location
- Kalamazoo, MI, US
- LinkedIn followers
- 500 followers
About Jacob Ballard
I’m a strategic Industrial Design Manager who builds high-performing, inclusive teams that deliver human-centered innovation with measurable business impact. Over 16+ years, I’ve led design for iconic consumer brands including Sharpie, Coleman, Graco, and others—turning complex challenges into clear, actionable strategies that unite user needs, brand vision, and business goals. My leadership style centers on empathy, clarity, and creative execution. I believe exceptional design thrives in environments where teams feel trusted, supported, and empowered. That’s why I invest deeply in mentorship, career growth, and fostering collaborative cultures that inspire innovation and high morale. Core strengths: Design Leadership & Team Culture: Coaching and scaling diverse, motivated teams to consistently deliver award-winning products Human-Centered Innovation: Translating user insights into compelling design strategies aligned with brand and business objectives Cross-Functional Collaboration: Driving alignment among product, engineering, and marketing teams to achieve shared success Design Operations & AI Integration: Implementing frameworks and tools to accelerate design velocity and creative exploration Let’s connect if you want to discuss leadership, innovation, or how design can elevate your business.
Experience
Manager, Industrial Design
Sep 2021 — Present · Kalamazoo, MI, US
Education
Purdue University
Industrial Design
2005 — 2009
Skills
- Creative Direction
- Design Strategy
- User-Centered Design
- Sketching
- Industrial Design
- Concept Development
- Rendering
- Product Design
- Design Thinking
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