Director of Design Studio | Industrial Designer | Cross-Cultural Design Leader | Product Development & Evaluation | 20+ Years Experience
I am an industrial designer and design leader with more than two decades of experience in product development, design evaluation, and cross-cultural collaboration.
Raised in Taiwan, educated in the United States, and working daily with design teams in both the U.S. and China, I operate at the intersection of cultural perspectives, design judgment, and large-scale product creation. As Director of Design Studio at Lota USA, I lead a multidisciplinary U.S. design team while collaborating closely with design and engineering partners in China.
My work spans early concept development through tooling approval, including form-language strategy, manufacturability, trend analysis, and consumer product development for major global retailers. I specialize in:
• Cross-cultural design communication
• Criteria-based design evaluation
• Product development strategy
• Aesthetic + functional integration
• Studio leadership and team mentorship
• Early-stage prototyping and 3D printing workflows
• Exploration of AI-assisted ideation tools.
My portfolio includes patented work, nationally distributed products, and a career-long commitment to design education, team development, and advancing thoughtful design practice grounded in cultural awareness and human perception.
Email
tzuyishimizu@gmail.com
Phone
(310) 439-0422
“As an industrial designer, I firmly believe in the power of design to bring people together and make a positive impact on both society and the environment. I am passionate about exploring new products and mobility solutions while creating innovative design concepts for consumer products and wearables. Ultimately, my goal is to use my expertise and creativity to make a meaningful contribution to the world.”
Areas of Expertise
Industrial Design
Transportation Design
Product Design
Sourcing
Manufacturing Process
Rapid Prototyping
3D Printing
3D Rendering
Experience
Lota USA/Los Angeles, CA
Director of Design Studio; 2025 - Present
- Senior Lead Industrial Designer; 2019 - 2024
- Industrial Designer; 2014-2018
- Design Assistant; 2013 - 2014
Led the design and management of all products for US sales, guiding them from initial concept to final production. By fostering collaboration among management, clients, and overseas designers and engineers, I was able to effectively transform insights into practical, manufacturable designs that meet market needs.
Seville Classics/Torrance, CA
Lead Industrial Designer; 2018-2019
As part of an initiative to enhance a best-selling product, the focus was on improving its functionality while also reducing shipping costs. This effort resulted in the creation of an innovative laundry hamper, which was awarded USA Utility Patent Number 10,822,009 in 2020.
Astro Pneumatic Tool Company/South El Monte, CA
Design Manager; 2009 - 2012
Successfully led a team in handheld tools' design, manufacturing, and packaging, focusing on new product development, effective packaging solutions, and innovative marketing campaigns. Promoted collaboration efforts across product, marketing, and overseas production teams to enhance the company's overall success.
Transonic Combustion Inc./Camarillo, CA
Automotive Designer; 2007 - 2009
Dedicated to advancing product development initiatives, enhancing market research efforts, and crafting impactful branding designs that include innovative product concept designs.
Nissan Motor Corporation/Taiwan, ROC
Automotive Design Internship; 2007
Volvo Group/Camarillo, CA
Automotive Design Internship; 2005
Skills
Adobe Photoshop CC 2024
Adobe Illustrator CC 2024
Adobe InDesign CC 2024
Autodesk SketchBook Pro
Autodesk AliasStudio
Rhinoceros 3D
T-Splines
Pro/Engineer
V-Ray for Rhino
V-Ray Express
KeyShot 11
Bunkspeed
PowerPoint
Analog sketching
Digital rendering
Wacom Tablet Intuos Pro
SolidWorks
Adobe XD
Figma
Conceptboard
Education
Master of Arts Degree (M.A.) in Industrial Design
Academy of Art University
San Francisco, CA; 2018-2024
Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Transportation Design
Art Center College of Design
Pasadena, CA; 2003-2007
Pasadena City College in Product Design
Pasadena, CA; 2001-2003
Awards
2020
Patent Number 10,822,009
United States Patent and Trademark Office
2018
Utility Patent pending
Seville Classics
2016
Meet West Los Angeles Industrial Design: Tzuyi Shimizu
Voyaga LA Magazine
2009
Rally Fighter Side-Vent Competition Second Place
Local Motors
2009
Featured Designer
Mass High Tech Weekly
2009
Featured Designer; “Future Face of the 500?”
Machine Design Magazine
2008
Featured Designer; “A Glimpse into the Future?”
Racecar Engineering Magazine
2007
Featured Designer; “Future Fast?”
AutoWeek Magazine
2007
Featured Designer
Indycar.com