About
My name is Ian Leighly. I am a 2017 graduate from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. I hold a Bachelor's of Fine Arts degree in Industrial Design and a minor in Cinema Studies.
From a very young age, I knew I wanted to be a product designer. My father, who is an architect and furniture designer, introduced me to the world of art and design. I often found myself helping in the wood shop and visiting construction sites, as well as constructing my own designs from Lego. Seeing and participating in the design process throughout my childhood helped me decide my career path.
In 2010, I began my college career at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in Mechanical Engineering. I dedicated three years to my engineering degree before realizing it wasn't the correct path for me. I wanted to participate more in the design aspect of products. I transferred to the Industrial Design program and completed my Bachelor's degree in Industrial Design in 2017. During my studies, I began focusing more and more on furniture design and human-centered design, taking woodworking courses, a course on materials and sustainability, and a course on designing for users living with impairment and disability.
In 2019, I began working for Minnesota Millwork and Fixtures as a designer and drafter. I work on all projects requiring design input and I have learned to communicate with customers both verbally and visually through the design process, helping their needs and visions become reality. I have learned to incorporate metal and upholstery into my designs, and even became the office expert on all things upholstery.