# Mike Mathe > Design educator, Action Sports and PPE equipment designer 20+ years of experience working with global manufacturing. Location: Vallejo, California, United States Profile: https://flows.cv/mikemathe Imagine taking your product from concept to breakthrough innovation. With over two decades in industrial design—spanning medical devices, personal protection, technical apparel, and wearable tech—I’m ready to put my expertise to work for you. Armed with a BFA in Industrial Design and extensive experience at top brands like Fox Racing, AXO, and Alpinestars SPA, I’ve mastered complex garment and footwear pattern-making, advanced materials, and cutting-edge construction techniques. As a SolidWorks Design Instructor at San Jose State University, I’m highly proficient in the software and excel at translating its capabilities across virtually any industry. This means I can streamline your design process, elevate product quality, and accelerate your time to market. I also maintain a vetted network of factories in Asia, ensuring a smooth transition from concept to production. No job is too big or too small—I’m open to full-time roles, freelance projects, and every opportunity in between. Let’s collaborate, innovate, and bring your vision to life. ## Work Experience ### Professional Freelancer @ NoCry® Safety Jan 2025 – Present | California, United States ### Adjunct Professor @ San Jose State University Jan 2017 – Present | San Jose, California, United States I'm responsible for content creation and instruction in multiple studio and digital tools classes in the industrial design program. ### Owner @ Liquid Sugar Designs Jan 2010 – Present | Napa Ca. ### Product Designer @ Mechanix Wear Jan 2015 – Jan 2024 | Santa Clarita, California ### Freelance pack and equipment designer @ KUIU, INC. Jan 2017 – Jan 2020 | Dixon, California ### Associate Graduate Professor @ Academy of Art University Jan 2012 – Jan 2019 ### Senior Lead Designer @ 212 Performance Gloves Jan 2013 – Jan 2015 | Las Vegas, Nevada Area  Responsible for designing all gloves in the 212 line  Worked closely with several OEM clients in the industrial sector to develop new hand protection solutions  Created and implemented an overarching corporate identity including fonts, logos and visual design ID  Sourced new technologies and materials vendors ### Designer 2 @ CamelBak Jan 2012 – Jan 2013 | Petaluma Ca.  Responsible for designing backpacks and bottles in the Bike and MTB categories  Established new processes and design workflows within the overall development chain  Worked closely with overseas manufacturing to ensure product quality and design intent  Conducted focus group tests to facilitate product improvement and innovation  Developed new graphic languages for all bike bottle lines ### Senior Designer @ Ironclad Performance Wear Jan 2010 – Jan 2012 | El Segundo Ca.  Responsible for designing all products in the Ironclads line  Developed and managed several partner projects  Communicated daily with factories during all development stages  Created a comprehensive “Tech pack” language for all Ironclad design projects to aid overseas development and communication  Performed gloves sketching and design demonstrations at domestic trade shows  Created new patented glove constructions which are now considered an industry bench mark  Sourced local prototyping vendors used during concept development stages  Worked on-side with several different market demographics from the oil and gas industry to law enforcement to develop a variety of task specific gloves ### contract designer @ 5.11 Tactical Jan 2010 – Jan 2012 ### Senior Designer @ Alpinestars Jan 2008 – Jan 2010  Designed and developed all product in the Off road category  Produced all new body protection systems in the mountain bike category  Worked extensively with DORNA marketing team to produce all licensed motorcycle product  Contributed to the international Alpinestars design team to develop a robust future design and product orientation schedule  Worked extensively with top athletes in the design of custom protective apparel  Created extensive “product stories” in each category to aid in the communication between sales and design teams  Developed patterns and prototype concept models to aid in product development and communication ### Designer @ AXO Sport USA Jan 2006 – Jan 2008  Responsible for all design, CAD, patternmaking and development of 2008 product line  Created a comprehensive “Tech pack” language for all AXO design projects to aid overseas development and communication  Worked at the AXO S.p.A headquarters in Istrana Italy training a comprehensive in-house prototyping and team  Attended international trade shows to gain exposure in European design trends  Introduced the Alias design pipeline and applied it to all CAD projects and Helmet graphics  Reduced international development time by 30% by employing local prototyping resources  Gained extensive knowledge in the design of Leather goods including clothing and footwear  Conducted several focus groups with pro riders ### Senior Designer @ Alloy Motocross Jan 2005 – Jan 2006 | Yorba Linda ca.  Responsible for all Motocross product, brand development and print design  Managed the construction and development of the US Raceware design lab  Hired lower level designers, developers and interns to compliment current staff members  Developed a cohesive US brand image based on existing European design language  Responsible for all Motocross and casual design and graphics applications  Worked with technical designers and patternmakers to produce in house working prototypes  Communicated daily with factories during all development stages  Sourced local prototyping vendors used during concept development stages  Created a comprehensive “Tech pack” language for all Alloy design projects to aid overseas development ### Designer @ FOX Racing Jan 2000 – Jan 2005  Designed a wide range of Motocross, Bike and Snow products ranging from gloves to boots  Gained extensive knowledge of soft goods, injection molding, and textile manufacturing processes  Using Alias v11.0, Produced CAD surfaces for manufacturing on a wide range of products  Created complete informative tech packs for foreign manufacturers  Responsible for all stages of product design and development prior to product release  Hired and managed level 1 designers and interns  Worked with technical designers and patternmakers to produce working prototypes  Experienced in all aspects of Technical apparel design, production and manufacturing including- -TPR mold design, Sonic welding, direct injection molding, Thermal forming -Screen printing, Digital and roller based sublimation processes, Material costing -Vendor sourcing, Prototype development, Sample testing, Fitting and adjusting, -Pattern making, Proprietary textile development, Color matching and Lab-dip analysis ## Education ### BA in Industrial design in Industrial and Product Design California College of the Arts ## Contact & Social - LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/mikemathe --- Source: https://flows.cv/mikemathe JSON Resume: https://flows.cv/mikemathe/resume.json Last updated: 2026-04-05