About
Michael Forbes – Designer Bio
Michael Forbes is an accomplished industrial designer and graduate of The College for Creative Studies (CCS) in Detroit, MI. With expertise spanning consumer products, medical devices, sporting goods, toys, and vehicles, Michael has worked with leading companies and innovation teams to push boundaries in design and development.
Starting his career as an intern for Marvel at Hasbro, Michael quickly displayed his talent in concept sketching. He went on to establish Anymile Clothing, marking his first entrepreneurial endeavor. Following an internship with Henry Ford Health System, he joined their Innovations team, contributing to groundbreaking work in medical product design. His role there involved the design, patenting, and licensing of future medical products, and he played a pivotal role in introducing the patented Henry Ford Model G™ Patient Gown and advanced 3D modeling techniques for heart procedures.
In the mobility sector, Michael held a key position on the Hyundai/Kia R&D Product Planning team, where he managed IP capture for adaptive driver assistance systems and led 3D Printing Lab initiatives for new product concepts. His journey in healthcare innovation continued at Materialise, where he worked as a Cardiovascular Technical Consultant, introducing the Mimics Enlight platform for advanced procedural planning.
Most recently, Michael contributed his expertise at Elm Park Labs (November 2022 - April 2024), where he led weekly design sprints and implemented design thinking methodologies to drive informed design decisions. He also managed project scopes and developed 3D interaction scripts for a VR-based life support training application using the Quest 2 VR headset. Collaborating closely with designers, developers, and marketers, Michael ensured product decisions enhanced the overall user experience. His work there also showcased his proficiency with Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator, CAD skills for detailed design, and branding strategy.
Michael’s work has earned him an Edison Award, multiple patents, and recognition in Crain's Detroit Business' "40 under 40." His innovative designs have been widely featured by outlets such as The New York Times, NPR, and The Washington Post.
Services Offered
Industrial Design & Product Development: Concept sketching, 3D modeling, prototyping, and commercialization across various sectors.
Product Design & Technology Licensing: Strategic design and licensing solutions, from concept to commercialization, focused on maximizing product marketability and technology adoption.
Graphic Design & Branding: Creation of high-quality visual assets, marketing materials, and cohesive branding strategies using Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and other design tools.
Medical Product Innovation & 3D Printing: Design, patenting, licensing, and in-house 3D printing solutions for healthcare systems.
Pre-Procedural Planning for Cardiovascular Interventions: Workflow optimization using 4D imaging, VR, and additive manufacturing for cardiovascular procedures.
Intellectual Property (IP) & Patent Strategy: Guidance on IP capture and patent development, especially in medical and mobility applications.
Mobility & Automotive Innovation: Consulting on last-mile mobility, driver assistance systems, and ride-share vehicle design.
VR Product Design & Interaction Scripting: Design thinking, project management, and VR interaction scripting for training and simulation applications.
Branding & User Experience Enhancement: Consistent branding and UX improvements to ensure a cohesive and compelling user experience.
Medical Software UX Optimization: Enhancing user experience for healthcare planning software.
Public Speaking & Thought Leadership: Insights on design, healthcare innovation, and 3D printing with media and public engagements.