Manager – Design + Innovation Strategy
Sundberg Ferar, MDC President
David Byron has been a leader at the renowned design firm, Sundberg-Ferar, for the last 12 years where he has designed everything from Hyundai’s walking cars to high-speed trains, kitchen appliances and scissors, to future educational strategies for remote learning. His passion is to design with purpose, identifying the right needs and execute concepts that connect on an emotional level while delivering real world solutions.
David’s dream to design began with cars which led him to the Motor City where he graduated from the College for Creative Studies with a BFA in Industrial Design. He spent his early career at General Motors and ASC contributing to many production vehicles and show cars. He then became Lead Designer at the sports car brand Saleen where he penned the 2008 S5S Raptor supercar and 2010 Saleen S281 Mustang. He then moved from sports cars to sports equipment as lead designer for New Balance’s Warrior division for hockey and lacrosse helmets. There he expanded this creative reach into product strategy, consumer research and marketing material.
David has been involved with the Michigan Design Council as a finalist mentor since the council’s inception, and has been acting president since 2019. During that time David has worked to spread awareness to every student in Michigan about the power of design and the potential career paths available to them. He also produced the documentary, “The State of Design” to showcase those careers through personal stories of Michigan designers. David also stays active in the art and design education community teaching studio courses at CCS and has judged multiple times at the National Fine Arts Festival.
“I love the process of design and the endless pursuit of creating something new. As a leader, teacher and consultant, my goal every day is to help my others maximize their talent and design with purpose, on purpose.”