I am an original creative thinker, form giver, innovation executive, and educator with 20+ years of experience leading cross-functional teams to deliver innovative, user-centered products for global brands. I excel at turning napkin sketches into launches and shaping product architecture for market leadership. In my work at Sinter Design and as an educator, I mentor teams, provide vision, establish visual language, and facilitate the making of things to optimize cost, quality, and sustainability. We help make things. Better.…

Pete Zerillo

I am an original creative thinker, form giver, innovation executive, and educator with 20+ years of experience leading cross-functional teams to deliver innovative, user-centered products for global brands. I excel at turning napkin sketches into launches and shaping product architecture for market leadership. In my work at Sinter Design and as an educator, I mentor teams, provide vision, establish visual language, and facilitate the making of things to optimize cost, quality, and sustainability. We help make things. Better.…

Available to hire

I am an original creative thinker, form giver, innovation executive, and educator with 20+ years of experience leading cross-functional teams to deliver innovative, user-centered products for global brands. I excel at turning napkin sketches into launches and shaping product architecture for market leadership.

In my work at Sinter Design and as an educator, I mentor teams, provide vision, establish visual language, and facilitate the making of things to optimize cost, quality, and sustainability. We help make things. Better.

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Language

English
Fluent

Work Experience

Founder, Creative Director, Principal Industrial Designer at Sinter Group, Inc. (dba Sinter Design)
January 1, 2007 - Present
Founded and lead a collaborative innovation consultancy delivering award-winning product development for clients including Belkin, Herman Miller, Case New Holland, Akura Medical, HUDL, and more. Directed product architecture for launches such as the Thunderbolt Express Dock for Belkin (10+ years market leadership) and patented autonomous agricultural robotics for CNH Industrial. Synthesized voice-of-the-customer research to deliver intuitive, consumer-centric solutions, increasing client market share and brand equity. Established visual brand languages for product families (e.g., HUDL Focus Outdoor Camera), ensuring consistent, elegant design across platforms. Managed global supplier relationships, contract negotiations, and quality control, optimizing cost and compliance for complex, multi-continent projects. Mentored and developed high-performing design teams, fostering a culture of innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
Associate Professor, Adj / Assistant Professor, Lecturer at The School of the Art Institute of Chicago
January 1, 2007 - Present
Teach and mentor graduate and undergraduate students in industrial design, materials, sustainability, form development, and empathy. Developed and led core curriculum, including Design for Nonhuman Kinds and Sustainability Design Studio. Awarded for innovative teaching, including the Art/Design Nexus Award and Diversity Infusion Grant. Promoted twice by faculty peer review.
Visiting Assistant Professor, Industrial Design at University of Illinois at Chicago
January 1, 2008 - September 10, 2025
Taught sustainability, form, and digital modeling studios; curated the senior thesis exhibition.
Adjunct Professor / Visiting Lecturer, Product Design at Columbia College Chicago
January 1, 2007 - September 10, 2025
Overhauled undergraduate product design curriculum and developed new courses in form analysis and drawing.
Senior Environment Designer at United Display Company
March 1, 1999 - February 1, 2002
Designed and managed production of displays and environments for clients including Head Sports, Oki Printers, and the City of Chicago.
Director of Industrial Design at Joss Design Group
September 29, 2002 - August 30, 2005
• Led product development for clients including Char-Broil, Toro, Thermos, & SC Johnson Professional. • Managed project timelines, client relationships, & external vendors. • Built & mentored design teams, facilitating creative concept generation & customer research.

Education

Bachelor of Industrial Design at Pratt Institute
August 1, 1992 - October 7, 2006
Focus on Furniture, Form, Transportation Design, and Innovative Creativity

Qualifications

Add your qualifications or awards here.

Industry Experience

Manufacturing, Professional Services, Education, Media & Entertainment, Consumer Goods
    uniE621 Belkin Thunderbolt Express Dock
    With Hiles Design, Inc, I designed the concept to house Intel's new Thunderbolt technology and bring its advantages to users who's current option was a pricy Apple Display. The form factor and base extruded aluminum body house 3 generations of Thunderbolt docks over almost a decade in the marketplace. Longevity is sustainability.…
    uniE621 CNH Multifunction Propulsion Handle for Agricultural Tractors
    We interpreted data gathered by inviting farmer users from around the world to build their own "ideal" tractor controller based on their experience. I synthesized the data and refined their needs into a designed produced by Elobau for CNH Industrial.…
    uniE621 Crane USA Personal Portable Inhaler
    Rechargeable battery powered warm and cool mist atomizing inhaler with an ergonomic grip and intuitive use including easy water fill.…
    uniE621 La Z Boy Arc handle
    The iconic "wooden spoon" handle that ships standard on most their reclining chairs was deemed an eyesore and thoughts were how to replace it with different mechanisms. We shifted focus and decided to make the lever the "jewel" of the chair. The Arc handle is also an ergonomic human interface based on human factors data. Introduced in 2009, the Arch handle is currently a $60 upgrade to the purchase of each chair, which is often bundled in pairs.…
    uniE621 New Holland 4WD Tractor
    Led the application of the new Visual Brand Language for New Holland Ag Tractors. This included the proportions, and the A side visual surfacing.…