Buddy x Erewhon Market

2024

Milan, IT
Paris, FR
Los Angeles, CA

A transatlantic collaboration between a 75-year-old Italian rubber manufacturer and California’s most elite organic retailer. Developed a sustainable pet toy balancing aesthetics, brand requirements, and manufacturing feasibility.

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    • Led project from prototype to pre-production

    • Acted as liaison between design studio, client, and manufacturer across three time zones

    • Managed technical feasibility and mold discussions

    • Negotiated timelines, unit pricing, and minimum order quantities

    • Facilitated brand alignment between Erewhon and Argo

    • Oversaw strategic positioning and product-market fit

    • Translated a high-design prototype into a manufacturable mold without sacrificing brand integrity.

    • Balanced mold investment against small-batch order quantities

    • Navigated differing priorities across Italy and the U.S.

    • Developed a sustainable rubber compound with 90%+ natural ingredients (market leader), FDA-compliant

    • Finalized a streamlined, branded toy in Erewhon’s preferred design elements and pricing

    • Expansion plan in place for 2025 including new designs and accessories for U.S. luxury pet line

This project tested and sharpened my industrial design thinking, client communication, and international project management. It deepened my understanding of cost modeling, mold feasibility, and high-end retail expectations—tools I’ll take forward in any product development context. Constant communication was key.