About
Jakob Michelis. Industrial Designer. Product Manager. Consultant.
I am an industrial designer whose career evolved through production environments, market-facing roles and independent practice — expanding from form development to product responsibility and system thinking.
Today I apply this expertise in projects that require clarity, proportion and feasibility.
Foundation and Industrial Practice
After studying Product Design at FH Aachen, I moved to Hong Kong to work as an industrial designer in the lighting industry, later also taking responsibility in product management.
Developing serial products and product families across different cultural and production environments gave me a clear understanding of how design connects to tooling, materials and cost structures.
Regular factory visits and trade fairs deepened my understanding of how production realities shape design decisions.
Design with Market Responsibility
Returning to Germany and building on a long-standing passion for sailing, I joined a manufacturer of sailing catamarans, initially working in sales.
Over time, my design background and growing experience led me to become increasingly involved in product development and design — translating customer feedback and market insight into product decisions.
Independent Work and System Perspective
Today I combine these experiences in independent projects and collaborations.
A recent engagement with bulthaup strengthened my focus on system architecture — understanding how individual products relate within a larger whole.
Perspective
Design is not isolated form-making.
It is the structured development of products — designed to function, endure and create value.
Experience sharpens judgment.
Responsibility shapes decisions.
Clarity makes design tangible.
Timeline
| Now | Capacity for new projects |
| 2025 | Industrial Designer at bulthaup |
| 2025 | Freelance Industrial Designer |
| 2024 | Career break, within taking UX / UI Bootcamp at Ironhack |
| 2016 | Sales Manager for TOPCAT GmbH near Munich, later Product Development |
| 2011 | Industrial Designer and Product Manager at Cosmocon Int. LTD. in Hong Kong |
| 2010 | Moved to China and started to work as Designer |
| 2009 | Graduated in Industrial Design at the FH Aachen |
| 2004 | Started to study Industrial Design at the FH Aachen |
| 2003 | Graduated Gymnasium (German high school) with Abitur |
| 1982 | Born in Bergisch Gladbach near Cologne |