Huckleberry Starnes
Born in Dayton, Ohio
Went to school in New England
Lives, works and plays in Atlanta, GA.
I am a classically trained sculptor that designed and built furniture, props and retail environments before going back to school for Environmental Design and later Industrial Design (writing my thesis on Toy Design). Somehow I ended up as the Senior Designer for a global company that designs and builds custom control rooms for secure locations like NASA, the FBI, nuclear power plants, casino security centers and all of the Smithsonian Institution facilities.
I've spent the last 10 years raising 2 young kids, designing and building our house, riding motorcycles around the world, making dangerous stuff for amuse my kids and setting up ridiculous amounts of holiday decorations on our house.
Currently I'm exploring my triumphant return to the design world and plotting a roof mounted trebuchet with a 3-block "Watermelon" radius.
Nerd, designer, motorcyclist, barfly, dad, know it all..Nuff said!
CV
Education
Master of Industrial Design
Auburn University, 2004
Bachelor of Environmental Design
Auburn University, 2003
Bachelor of Fine Art: Sculpture
Rhode Island School of Design, 1994
Selected Exhibits
“Breadth”, Eyedrum Gallery, Atlanta, GA. 2002
“A matter of scale”, Agnes Scott College, Decatur, GA. 2000
“Yankee go home: a 9 Artist Show”, Ballroom Studios, Atlanta, GA. 2000
“While traveling”, US Navy Base, Yokusaka, Japan. 1999
“Object of sculpture”, Wright State University, Dayton, Ohio 1999
“Through the garden gates”, Right Brain Gallery, Atlanta, GA. 1998
“A-List: Top 20 GA emerging artists”, Fay Gold Gallery, Atlanta, GA. 1998
“Silver edge”, Nexus Art Center, Atlanta, GA. 1998
“9 Artist”, Empty Loft Gallery, Atlanta, GA. 1998
“Multiple identities”, Nexus Art Center, Atlanta, GA. 1997
“Outside”, New Vision Space, Atlanta, GA. 1997
“Reflecting on time and space”, Quinlan Arts Center, Gainesville, GA. 1997
“November show” Hasting Seed, Atlanta, GA. 1995
“Beacons” Gallery V, Atlanta, GA. 1995
Selected Collections
Wright State University
House of Current Advertising
Scott Lowden Photography
Brian Mallman
Waylan Estate
Ryan Gainey Estate
Condon family
Selected Publications
An Approach for Toy Design: Action Figure Creation, 2004
Southern Living, October 2001
Southern Living, September 2000
Jezebel, July 1999
Art Papers, November/December 1997
New Art Examiner, November 1997
The Well Set Table, 1996
The Well Placed Weed, 1995
Experience
Robin Hill Design Studio and Huckmade.com
Consultant
3/2010-Current
Currently I'm running a retail website featuring my designs on homegoods and apparel as well as consulting with the City of Decatur Public Works department.
I have also worked as a freelance consultant on wide range of projects including retail, exhibit and product design while designing and fabricating a series of small run furniture, giftware and apparel projects.
Starnes Family
Stay at Home Dad
4/12/11-Current
Duties include head cloth diaper changer, soccer chauffeur, insect relocator, birthday cake artisan, board game instructor and kitchen madman (to name a few). I am proficient in Pokémon, LEGO, Hot Wheels and Dad Jokes that revolve around the eating of vegetables.
Winsted Technical Interiors
Design Manager
2/2009-3/2010
In addition to my role as the Sr. Designer at WTI (see below) in 2009 I was promoted to Design Manager and answered to the Division Director while overseeing the entire design office as well as managing more than 40 outside sales members.
Winsted Technical Interiors
Senior Designer & Sales Manager
2/2005- 2/2010
Senior Designer: Creation of design concepts, product and material development and translation of these concepts into “sales models” to illustrate concepts in the form of a completed design proposal to present to the client. Also responsible for continuous collaboration with the Project Manager, Engineering Department and Fabrication Department to insure proper understanding and implementation of all design concepts in the engineering, fabrication and installation stages.
Supervision of Design Department personnel, travel to project locations to generate, verify & validate design concepts, engineering and installation details. Lead meetings with clients to develop and confirm project information and further sales and design processes.
Sales Manager: Responsible for developing sales leads and responding to incoming requests for products. This includes attending trade shows, leading remote meetings with sales reps and dealers, on-site meetings with clients, facilitating in-house meetings with clients and vendors and maintenance of product showroom.
Auburn University
Visiting Instructor
7/2004-12/2004
Instructor for “Industrial Design Materials and Manufacturing Technology” class taught to Graduate and Senior level students. This class covered a vast range of materials focusing on their development and use in the manufacturing of products as well as the social and environmental impact of those processes.
Starnes Design Studio
Principle Designer & Lead Fabricator
6/1994-11/2004
Owner and operator of a successful custom design and fabrication studio. Responsible for all phases of project development, including: concept and design, client presentations, facilitation of client collaboration throughout project, production of design sketches and models, custom fabrication of final product, and on-site installation.
Selected Projects: <more on request>
Anthropology
Southern Living
US NAVY
Current advertising
Georgia Tech Library
Emman Technology
Selected Clients: <more on request>
Coca-Cola Co.
Neiman Marcus
Atlanta Thrashers
Atlanta Botanical Gardens
Turner Communications
Scott Lowden Photography
Bell South
Ryan Gainey & Co.
High Museum of Art
Full Circle Curriculum and Materials
Vice President, Board of Directors
1/2004- 6/2008
Non-profit educational organization that develops and distributes teacher support materials related to culturally appropriate and historically accurate education regarding American Indians. Provides organizational guidance and oversees operations. Committee chair: Publications Development and Design.
Metal Morphosis Inc.
Company Manager (Interim), Production Team Leader
2/2001 - 8/2001
Interim Company manger for a mid-sized manufacturing and wholesale giftware company specializing in cast metal products. Responsibilities included product and package design, manufacturing supervision, employee administration, training and supervision, showroom/vendor management, and quality assurance.
Processes & Materials Expertise:
Woodworking, fabric construction/sewing, bronze/aluminum/iron casting and patina, metal fabrication, ceramic hand building/throwing, slip casting, vector cutting machines, heat transfer/adhesive vinyl and general object making, costume designing, tree house building with a special emphasis soapbox derby car of death crafting.