Work with Chmelik Design

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I'm a designer and engineer who has shipped market-defining sporting goods for Wilson, Cascade, Maverik, STX, and Nike Lacrosse. 

I take projects as an independent consultant — bringing principal-level design and engineering capability to teams who need it, without the overhead of a full agency.

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Who I work with​

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My best engagements are with brands and founders who are serious about building something that lasts — not just renders that look good in a deck. I've worked with established category leaders navigating product refresh cycles, emerging brands building their first design language, and manufacturers who need design and engineering to run in parallel rather than in sequence.

If you're working on protective equipment, lacrosse, golf, or broader sporting goods and need a designer who can own the work from sketch to production-ready CAD, that's what I do.

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What I offer

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Product design & development

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Full-cycle design from initial concept through production-ready CAD. I run industrial design and engineering in parallel — form, geometry, and manufacturability developed together rather than handed off sequentially. Deliverables include sketch exploration, exterior CAD, surfacing, and complete documentation for sourcing and manufacturing.

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Helmet & protection platform development

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Specialised expertise in head protection systems — shell geometry, liner architecture, fit and retention systems, and certification compliance. I've worked to ASTM standards and understand how to translate impact behaviour and ergonomic requirements into buildable geometry. I design from the inside out: performance and fit first, aesthetics second.

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Visual design language & product family strategy

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Defining the design rules that govern a product line — surfacing language, feature hierarchy, CMF direction, and the principles that make a family of products feel coherent. I've developed VDL frameworks that have anchored multi-SKU product roadmaps for major brands.

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Design leadership & team support

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For teams that need senior-level direction without a full-time hire, I can lead concept phases, mentor junior designers, run design reviews, and manage cross-functional alignment with product, engineering, and marketing stakeholders.

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Ready to talk about your project?

Reach out directly at mike@chmelikdesign.com or call 630-631-4867. I typically respond within one business day.

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