Chris whittall
Every design project brings an opportunity to create new experiences and positive change to people and brands. With 30 years’ experience transforming new technologies into successful and award-winning products, I have designed over 200 shipping products and hold 48 U.S. design patents. I’ve worked with the world’s top product companies in many business sectors, including consumer electronics, professional audio and video, gaming, robotics, optical, medical, white goods, enterprise computing, scientific instruments, footwear, solar, outdoor recreation and more.
I am currently a Director at PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) where I lead the industrial design practice from the Silicon Valley office. At PwC we are focused on helping brands develop new products and business models that bring value to their customers. Before joining PwC I held design leadership positions at Surfaceink, Speck Design, Whipsaw, Hewlett Packard, and Montgomery Pfeifer (chronologically from most recent).
Along with designing, I enjoy working with the next generation of designers. I have spent over seven years teaching the Industrial Design Senior Thesis course at my alma mater, California College of the Arts (CCA), as well as San Jose State University (SJSU).
Alongside design, I am a music enthusiast and play guitar in a progressive rock band. I also enjoy cycling, surfing, skiing, playing tennis, camping, gardening, and traveling with my wife and daughter.
Specialties: Design Strategy, Design Leadership, Industrial Design, User Experience, Product Development, Ethnographic Research, Ergonomics, Design Education