James Lucas
About James Lucas
James Lucas is a Principal Industrial Designer at Ecolab, with a background in Industrial Design and English from the University of Wisconsin-Stout and Minnesota State University, Mankato. He has extensive experience in the field, having worked at Ergotron in various roles and advocating for a design process centered on empathy and user perspective.
Work at Ergotron
James Lucas has held multiple positions at Ergotron, a company specializing in ergonomic solutions. He started as an Industrial Designer I from 2010 to 2014, where he contributed to various design projects. He then advanced to the role of Senior Industrial Designer from 2018 to 2021. In this capacity, he focused on creating user-centered designs that enhance the user experience. Lucas's work at Ergotron emphasized the importance of empathy in the design process, ensuring that user needs were prioritized in product development.
Education and Expertise
James Lucas earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Industrial Design from the University of Wisconsin-Stout, studying from 2005 to 2010. Prior to this, he studied English at Minnesota State University, Mankato, from 2003 to 2005. His educational background provides him with a strong foundation in both design principles and effective communication, which he applies in his professional work. Lucas's expertise lies in creating impactful design solutions that incorporate user narratives and perspectives.
Background
James Lucas began his academic journey at Minnesota State University, Mankato, where he studied English for two years. He then transitioned to the University of Wisconsin-Stout, focusing on Industrial Design for five years. His early career included a volunteer position as a Student Researcher at Legrand North America in 2008. This experience laid the groundwork for his subsequent roles in industrial design, particularly at Ergotron and Ecolab.
Current Role at Ecolab
Since 2021, James Lucas has been working as a Principal Industrial Designer at Ecolab, located in Eagan, Minnesota. In this role, he continues to apply his design philosophy, which emphasizes empathy and understanding the user's perspective. His current position allows him to leverage his extensive experience in industrial design to create solutions that meet user needs effectively.
Design Philosophy
James Lucas advocates for a design process that prioritizes empathy and understanding the user's perspective. He believes that compassion is essential in creating impactful design solutions. Lucas emphasizes the importance of maintaining the user's narrative throughout the design process, ensuring that products are not only functional but also resonate with the users' experiences and needs.