I have always been interested in art and design growing up, originally wanted to become an architect but then found out about industrial design through a high school teacher. During college I noticed the Bungee wallet and thought it was such a unique innovative idea and looked up Umbra for the first time. I was thrilled to see they were a Canadian design company based out of Toronto so I made it my goal to get in and make my mark. I love the fast paced environment here, and it seems that every day is different and always presents a new challenge to solve. It's also exciting to work so closely with such a great team, the entire company seems focused on the same goals, making it a great creative environment for spawning new fresh ideas.

1. What are some of the Umbra products you designed? What is your specialty/expertise? What are you currently working on?

I really do not have a specific area of expertise, I like to dabble into as many categories as I can to get as much experience and knowledge as I can. In designing for so many different categories I find it always busy but love the challenge and it keeps things always interesting by working on so many different things. I tend to take the simplistic approach to design and try not to over design anything, I like clean lined simple products with subtle details.

I'm currently working on all kinds of things! my day to day task list can range from 2-5 different things or more and it's hard to pin point one thing exactly. I tend to have a short attention span so if I'm working on something and come up with a new idea I try to execute it on the spot to make sure I don't forget it.

• TIE Clock
• SNAP Picture Frames
• BAUBLE Jewelry Tree
• NEOTEAR Paper Towel Holder
• SPLAT Spoon Rest
• MOBI Charger
• HANDISLEEVE
• SLEEVINO

2. What are some of the blogs/books/magazines that you read for inspiration?

• ELLE Décor magazine
• http://ffffound.com
• http://www.notcot.org
• Living Etc. magazine
• http://jrsrules.blogspot.com

3. Out of all Umbra designs, what are some of your favourite products? What do you like about the product?

• POSTINO Mailbox- excellent example of how Umbra can take a boring item such as a traditional mailbox and add a modern twist to make it elegant.

• CASSETTA Mirror- A fun way to reuse old discarded products out there that would otherwise end up in the land fill and give them new life, I still find this concept appealing and valid and that we as designers should be constantly thinking of alternative uses to the products we are designing to give them life after death so to speak, or take products at the end of their life cycle and give them new uses.

• WALLFLOWER wall décor- We have had huge success in his category over the past year or so and love the concept of taking wall décor to the next level and giving it dimension. Wall décor is great in giving dimension to the walls and allowing the customers to create their own works of art on their walls in an interesting way.