Turner Perkins
Santa Rosa
Summary
Industrial designer with 4+ years of experience spanning product design, sustainable fabrication, and user-centered research. Skilled across the full design process — from sketching and ideation through CAD modeling, prototyping, and usability testing. Named inventor on a U.S. patent. Brings a cross-cultural design perspective from studio training at Virginia Tech and DIS Copenhagen, Denmark.
U.S. Patent Holder — System and Method for Vertically Adjustable Storage Units / 19/437,612 Addresses a critical accessibility gap for aging adults by removing the need to reach overhead or bend to floor-level cabinets, reducing fall and injury risk in the home.
Overview
1
1
year of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Lab Technician of Materials and Design Laboratory
Virginia Tech
Blacksburg
08.2025 - 05.2026
- Assisted 30+ students per semester on safe operation of CNC machines, laser cutters, table saws, and 3D printers — maintaining a zero equipment-incident record across two consecutive semesters.
- Consulted 20+ students across landscape architecture, architecture, packaging, and industrial design on fabrication strategy, material selection, and prototype execution to enhance design intent.
- Advised on material choices (chipboard, museum board, basswood, acrylic, MDF, PLA, resin) and fabrication sequencing to minimize waste and rework, resulting in cleaner final prototypes.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Industrial Design
Virginia Tech
Blacksburg, VA05-2026
Some College (No Degree) - Furniture Design
DIS Copenhagen
Copenhagen, DKSkills
- Material selection
- CNC machining
- Fabrication techniques
- Prototype development
- Design software
- Solidworks
- Rhino
- Keyshot
- Adobe Creative Suite
- Research skills
- Design Thinking
- Ideation
- User Interviews
- Team collaboration
Certification
- Brand Design Foundations
- Advanced Branding
- Develop the Skills to Drive Innovation in Your Organization
Timeline
Lab Technician of Materials and Design Laboratory
Virginia Tech
08.2025 - 05.2026
Bachelor of Science - Industrial Design
Virginia Tech
Some College (No Degree) - Furniture Design
DIS Copenhagen