ABOUT | Nancy Chu

Hi, I'm Nancy.

I'm a consumer-focused packaging and product innovation leader with 10+ years of experience driving front-end innovation, industrial design, and commercialization support across consumer goods industries. Proven success translating consumer insights and business strategy into manufacturable design solutions that improve user experience and support portfolio growth. Skilled in product design, human-centered design methodologies, rapid prototyping, and design thinking facilitation across cross-functional teams.

EXPERIENCE

Conagra Brands | Sr. Packaging & Innovation Designer

Chicago, IL | March 2021- Present

Leads design strategy and structural packaging ideation across a portfolio of consumer food brands, partnering with R&D, Demand Science, Brand, and Sales teams to drive consumer-centered growth
Translates consumer insights, business objectives, and manufacturing constraints into tangible packaging concepts through rapid prototyping, visualization, and iterative development
Authored and implemented a Human-Centered Design Toolkit that elevated organizational design capabilities and standardized innovation methodologies across team
Facilitates cross-functional innovation workshops and design thinking workstreams to produce actionable design solutions for complex R&D challenges
Led Chicago Shop prototyping operations and capability expansions
Manages and mentors junior designers, supporting capability development and team growth

Focal Point Lights | Product Designer (Industrial Designer III)

Chicago, IL | July 2019- May 2020

Designed innovative architectural lighting products balancing aesthetics, functionality, and manufacturability
Developed proof of concept prototypes with complete functional integrity for evaluation and validation testing
Created aesthetic and functional pattern layouts for acoustic fixtures that were used on cut sheets, brochures, and web media to help specifiers create visually-interesting, integrated ceiling and lighting systems
Championed customer insight sessions with architects and lighting designers to gather voice of customer feedback to help drive design thinking approach to development
Supported new decorative line and created new to industry intuitive web-based visual product configurator as a sales tool and to assist customers in configuring their orders

Honey Can Do | Sr. Industrial Designer

Berkeley, IL | January 2018- January 2019

Led the design of innovative home organization and storage products for inline and private label brands such as Target Threshold and Walmart Mainstays
Established new product design standards and processes, enhancing efficiency and product quality at Honey Can Do

Wilton Brands LLC | Industrial Designer

Naperville, IL | October 2013- December 2017

Spearheaded end-to-end development of 100+ food crafting hard goods and craft tools, enhancing product offerings
Managed the entire product development lifecycle, from concept ideation to manufacturing
Executed design engineering, technical drawings, supplier communication, and off-tool reviews to support successful product launches
Design Team Lead: managed workflow of ID team by coordinating resources and execution
Analyzed consumer insights to create user-centric designs that balanced user experience, business objectives and cost efficiency

Newell Brands | Industrial Designer

Oak Brook, IL | July 2011- October 2013

Designed and launched writing products and accessories for renowned brands like Sharpie, Paper Mate, Prismacolor, and Expo

EDUCATION

University of Cincinnati, College of Design, Art, Architecture & Planning (DAAP)

Professional Practice Program, B.S. Industrial Design, 2011

SKILLS