Sunday, 3 July 2005 | Levent OZLER
Karen John: Design Within Reach Names Head of New
Product Development Effort
Design Within Reach Names Head of New Product Development Effort
Design Within Reach announced that Karen John has been named Director of Product Development, overseeing the design and manufacturing of products that the company will develop and carry exclusively. The appointment of Ms. John formalizes the company's evolving product development efforts.
With her in-depth understanding of modern design and strong relationships with the design community, Ms. John will direct the company's product development efforts by pairing the industry's most elite designers and capable manufacturers to design and produce products that meet customers' needs, and create solutions to unsolved design challenges. These products will be sold exclusively through Design Within Reach.
"Design Within Reach has always been about making modern design more accessible. Our product development efforts are a commitment to strengthening our business and our brand through innovation and entrepreneurship," said Wayne Badovinus, CEO of Design Within Reach. "These efforts will contribute to our next phase of growth by bringing us back to our roots of creating solutions for unmet design needs."
The results of the company's early product development efforts will be seen this fall with the introduction of a bedding assortment of sheets, blankets and accessories that creates solutions for the modern bedroom. In addition, DWR will launch a modern recliner designed by Jeffrey Bernett, illustrating the company's innovative approach to product development by collaborating with outside designers and manufacturers. Ms. John oversaw the development and production of these products.
Ms. John began consulting with Design Within Reach in 2003 to define the vision, strategy and process for the company's product development efforts. She holds Masters degrees in Industrial Design from Domus Academy in Milan, Manufacturing Engineering from Stanford University, and Business Administration from Insead in Fontainebleu, France. Prior to joining Design Within Reach, she worked for Antonio Citterio & Partners, an international design firm in Milan and Austin-based enterprise software company Trilogy.
About Design Within Reach, Inc.
Design Within Reach, Inc., founded in 1998 and headquartered in San Francisco, is an integrated, multi-channel provider of distinctive modern design furnishings and accessories. Using a single common "in stock and ready to ship" inventory, the company markets and sells its products to both residential and commercial customers nationwide through www.dwr.com, the DWR catalog, Studios, and direct sales force.
Design Within Reach: http://www.dexigner.com/directory/detail/5625/
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