Sam Kapor

As a designer, I consider it both a privilege and a responsibility to advocate for the user. By combining the methodologies I have developed as an engineer and as a designer, I aim not only to identify opportunities, but also to envision aspirational experiences and define the iterative path necessary to bring these visions to life.

I specialize in using qualitative and quantitative methods to uncover unmet needs, problems, insights, and opportunities. I guide fellow designers in realizing aspirational experiences, while challenging engineering teams to push the boundaries of technology and processes, ultimately arriving at simple yet innovative solutions. I am forever curious and a lifelong learner. 

Prior to ArtCenter I worked as a lead reliability engineer at Apple in soft goods product development. I had the great opportunity of developing truly amazing products including the first 3 generations of the Apple Watch accessories, as well as the AirPod Max headphones. My job required that I not only present to, but work with the designers to help ensure their vision was maintained through development. This experience opened my eyes to the immense value, responsibilities, and possibilities inherent in being an industrial designer. After five transformative years at Apple, I realized my passion lied in design, driven by a desire to inspire and create extraordinary experiences. Motivated to challenge myself, I made a courageous decision to resign and immediately moved to London, where I was able to enroll in night classes at Central Saint Martins (CSM). I had the opportunity to take introductory product design courses, including user research, modeling, and ideation. Although this was quickly disrupted by the global impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, rather than waiting for circumstances to change, I seized the opportunity to teach myself as much as possible, ensuring I would be a competitive applicant for ArtCenter. 

While studying at ArtCenter I have also had the opportunity to intern at two design studios, Bilio, and Level where I worked on consumer products ranging from women's health to coffee machines. Both opportunities have allowed me to grow as a designer and as a leader. 

I am looking forward to co-creating and realizing new opportunities in consumer products. 

Portfolio