John Klinkenberg, Principal Industrial Designer at The Melt, fell into industrial design after his mum applied for him to study it at the University of Newcastle. John shares his career path working across various companies and industries, eventually leading him to his current role at the Melt, where he collaborates with startups to solve hardware challenges. John discusses the unique embedded model of the Melt, which allows for closer collaboration with businesses during the design process, resulting in quicker decision-making and better outcomes. 

In this episode, you’ll hear John discuss the value of design awards, such as Good Design Australia, and the significance of understanding customer needs and maintaining clarity in problem-solving for successful product development. He shares insights on the challenges startups face, particularly regarding funding and staffing, and emphasises the importance of building a solid team with complementary skills. Tune in to hear why John thinks sketching and effective communication skills are essential for young designers.