Edward Dormer \ design cv



COLLABORATIVE WORK


SUGARCUBE
Installation; Spatial Design; Curation; 2004–2024
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America

Co-conceived and realized a twenty-year installation that collapsed boundaries between retail space and continuous artistic intervention. Developed integrated spatial systems, branding frameworks, and curatorial programming that shaped Old City Philadelphia’s cultural identity and influenced independent retail presentation standards nationally. The project launched creative careers and established new models for experiential curation and spatial practice.


Design Farm
Industrial Design; 1994–2006
Hopewell, New Jersey, United States of America

Contracted as an industrial designer within a two-person leadership team specializing in defense, medical, and scientific product development. Relocated on-site to Edge Product Development Corporation technical facilities to lead prototyping workflows for complex projects requiring accelerated production cycles. Responsibilities included ergonomic integration, systems design, and iterative prototyping under demanding technical and timeline constraints.

    Infant Incubator
Medical Device Prototype
Created a trade-show prototype emphasizing advanced environmental controls, user-safety architecture, and clinician-centered interface design for neonatal care.


Edge Product Development Corporation
Industrial Design; 1994–2006
Newtown, Pennsylvania, United States of America

Collaborative contract work, including projects executed through Design Farm and direct engagements.

    Infrared Night Vision
Defense; First Responder Technology
Developed an ergonomic prototype of an intuitive visor-interface system optimized for gloved-hand operation, significantly improving low-light situational responsiveness and field safety.

    United States Naval Ship Navigation Center
Tactical Systems Design
Engineered and fabricated modular consoles and weather-resistant command systems for U.S. Navy vessels, meeting MIL-SPEC and NAVSEA standards for harsh, high-risk operational environments.

    Brain Imaging Center
Medical; Diagnostic System Design
Designed and fabricated a full-size, chair-based MRI prototype prioritizing patient comfort, accessibility, and precision,reducing psychological and physical barriers to advanced neurological imaging.

    Laboratory Plasma Sterilizer
Industrial; Laboratory Systems Design
Developed a working prototype of a high-energy plasma sterilization system integrating UV exposure, electrical shielding, and rigorous safety protocols for laboratory and industrial use.



APPOINTMENTS & ROLES


Please Touch Museum
Lead Exhibit Designer; 1995–1996
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America

Conceptualized, designed, and fabricated immersive, full-scale exhibits integrating complex design constraints with child-development research. Delivered durable, high-traffic environments balancing educational intent with material resilience.



University of the Arts
Theater Arts, Ira Brind School of Theater Arts
Theater Production Director; 1994–1995
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America

Directed end-to-end realization of departmental productions. Oversaw design, fabrication, installation, and strike of narrative environments. Managed budget optimization through material reclamation and implemented efficient workflow systems for student crews, strengthening technical literacy and production autonomy.



University of the Arts
Graphic Design Department, School of Arts
Typography Laboratory Director; Instructor; 1991–1993
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America

Redesigned typographic and photographic laboratory systems during a pivotal digital transition, optimizing operational flow for nine academic departments. Served as Master Instructor, supervising and mentoring over twenty student employees per semester while pioneering unconventional equipment applications to execute complex, interdisciplinary design projects.



Design Line
Industrial Designer; 1988–1990
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America

Developed industrial prototypes and interactive museum exhibits, maintaining conceptual clarity and high aesthetic standards within demanding fabrication timelines and material constraints.



DMC Display Systems
Industrial Designer; 1986–1987
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America

Sole industrial designer for a large-scale heavy-gauge wire manufacturing facility. Produced technical documentation for high-volume production and led expansion of commercial product lines within stringent engineering and fabrication requirements.



Technical PRACTICE


Communications
Branding systems; visual identity; typographic frameworks

Product Development
Concept to prototype; ergonomic integration; iterative fabrication

Environmental Design
Retail, museums; restaurants; theater; immersive spatial systems

Fabrication
Metal; wood; plastics; prototyping; heavy-gauge wire fabrication systems

Defense & Medical Systems
Experience with NAVSEA requirements (U.S. Navy naval navigation systems); medical device prototyping; MIL-SPEC hardware specification / procurement



Affiliations


Core77 (2025–Present)

Design Advocacy Group ­(2022–Present)

Industrial Designers Society of America (1983–1994)



EDUCATION


University of the Arts
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
Bachelor of Science; Industrial Design; 1986
Minor, Fine Art; Advanced Printmaking; 1986
Postgraduate Studies; Printmaking & Book Arts; 1991–1993



SYSTEMS & DESIGN INTELLIGENCE


Dieter Rams
Reductive clarity; functional integrity

Noel Mayo;
Jack Andrews
Industrial design pedagogy; practice

Anita Bassie, Group M
Systems-based graphic design

April Greiman
Digital integration; Swiss design methodology

Joe Rapone
Typographic systems; editorial design; practice

Douglas Hofstadter
Aesthetics; cognitive patterning; recursive systems

William Earl Webster
Aesthetic clarity; foundational design inquiry



MATERIAL & SPATIAL PRACTICE


Memphis Group
Material experimentation; formal disruption

Guido Buratto, Artemide
Material innovation in lighting design

Samuel Yellin
Craft mastery; material honesty

Massimo Tamburini;
Claudio Castiglioni, MV Agusta
Engineering as sculptural form

Le Corbusier
Spatial logic; proportional systems

Peter Rose
Spatial and temporal experimentation in film

Eugene Baguskas
Material process; visual thinking


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