# Yara Afshar

> Senior Industrial Designer I User Experience Designer I Product Development I

Location: San Francisco Bay Area, United States
Profile: https://flows.cv/yaraafshar

Enthusiastic and motivated Design Professional with more than ten years of experience in Home Décor, Home Accessories, lighting, and accent furniture. With multifaceted expertise delivering constructive trend-relevant, meaningful, and innovative designs.

Comprehensive understanding of elements of construction and style. Creative, out-of-box thinker with talent for leading innovation. Broad range of professional design experience from home décor and accessories design for well-established retailers.

 
Specialties: Product development, Concept Ideation, Project Management, Product Design and Development, Finish Specifications, Vendor Management, Design Research, Product Marketing, Model making skills, Client Presentations 

AutoCad, Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Quarkxpress, Powerpoint, Microsoft Word, Excel, Acrobat, Illustration, Showroom Merchandising, Purchasing, Sourcing, Marketing

## Work Experience
### Design Lead @ Pivotal Retail Group
Jan 2023 – Present

### UX Designer @ Bibti App
Jan 2022 – Jan 2023

### Senior Product Designer I Product Development @ Pottery Barn
Jan 2015 – Jan 2020 | San Francisco Bay Area

### Product Designer I Product Development @ Pottery Barn
Jan 2012 – Jan 2015

### Product Designer/Product Development Leader @ Industrial Design Outreach, Inc.
Jan 2008 – Jan 2010
Implemented the element of PLAY in educational growth of children.  Utilized design methodologies which enhance students’ education.  Developed design-it-yourself kit which introduces students to  design methodology through emerging technology and renewable energy. Developed hands-on interdisciplinary projects to foster curiosity and promote creativity.  Created and delivered design education curriculum to promote teamwork and to enhance communication, organization, and presentation skills. Collaborated with engineers at the Exploratorium.

### Product Designer / Lighting Designer / Home Accessories Designer @ Lamps Plus, Inc. (Pacific Coast Lighting)
Jan 2006 – Jan 2008
Designed lighting fixtures and home accessories for major clients, such as Pottery Barn, Kathy Ireland Home, Dick Idol, Tommy Bahama,  and Lamps Plus brands. Designed private-label products, such as lighting fixtures and home décor for large big box customers. Created fresh design solutions for licensed brands. Collaborated with manufacturing, safety, engineering and marketing. Developed design concept and drawings for Lamps Plus Contemporary Line. Liaised with international vendors and factories to finalize designs by selecting the best trend-relevant textiles and finishes.

### Product Designer @ Whirlwind Wheelchair International
Jan 2005 – Jan 2006
Collaborated in design of Rough Rider, a super-durable daily-use chair. Implemented sustainable local economic development in design process.  Focused on Human-Centered-Design (HCD) by giving wheelchair riders a central role in all aspects of the design project

### Product Designer @ San Francisco State University
Jan 2005 – Jan 2005
Designed digital, solar-powered wind-chimes as audible landmarks to assist individuals with  visual impairments in navigating around SFSU campus.  Managed the projects to facilitate and improve wayfinding and sound-web systems between four fundamental campus landmarks.  Organized focus groups to identify the bets audio library for use in wind-chime electronic chips.


## Education
### General Assembly

### M.A. in Industrial Design
San Francisco State University

### B.A. in Industrial Design
San Francisco State University


## Contact & Social
- LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/yara-afshar

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Source: https://flows.cv/yaraafshar
JSON Resume: https://flows.cv/yaraafshar/resume.json
Last updated: 2026-04-13