cia is a design partner to ambitious manufacturers of industrial craft bringing new ideas to life, insight-driven and sustainably made.

the tree designed + made in oregon: zero voc’s, high yield, water-based finish, flat pack, repair, remake, biomass.

what things endure?

the challenges posed by climate change require a paradigm shift towards more sustainable and conscious consumption. new circular systems (cradle-to-cradle) probe the enduring environmental and social impact of design, materials, production, labor, and distribution. through big system changes and small personal efforts, we can begin to secure a healthier and more equitable planet for the future.

qarma bag

shoulder bag made from upcylced insulated packaging that is not recyclable.

services

industrial craft balances artisanship with modern design and manufacturing methods towards a new ecology of sustainable thinking. the modules below are tailored to support businesses in creating new products and experiences for the ways we live, work, and learn.

  • shift thinking, break open ideas, and explore potential markets.

    envisioning framework + plan

    design research: quantitative and qualitative research uncovering insights

    emergent trends

    new materials research

    circular strategies

    collaborative, generative, and rapid prototyping workshops

  • define the problem to solve.

    thematic research + probes

    collaborative workshops

    refine research + user insights

    eco-metrics targets

    market landscape/positioning

    stakeholder inputs

    problem definition + statement

    concept + design brief

    technical/I.P. opportunity

  • bring the ideas to life.

    problem refinement

    stakeholder inputs

    concept design

    industrial design

    technology integration support

    design control documents

    cmf and eco-metrics support

    prototypes + testing support

    product eng. support

    pre-launch marketing support

  • factory readiness and ignite the market.

    m/eng alignment + kpc reviews

    factory pilot/first articles review

    product narratives + relay

    eco-metrics benchmarks

    image + media support

    creative direction

    launch strategy + plan

    showroom plan + design

    exhibition plan + design

  • activate sustainable design.

    sustainability migration

    lifecycle + eco-objectives

    platform strategies

    carbon metrics targets

    waste + resource targets

    material yields + standards

    process guidebook

    cmf research + reviews

    are you iso14001 ready?

about

cia (chi-a) is an american designer based in portland, oregon. her international career spans the creation of objects, products, furniture, lighting, spaces, and exhibits. she has held senior positions guiding design, engineering, and marketing teams for progressive manufacturers recognized as leaders in design and sustainability.

cia is a persistent explorer. she possesses a democratic spirit seeking to make products and knowledge attainable for people. her aesthetic austerity, born from her new england roots, is balanced with the poetics of her avant-garde Italian training. in addition to her product work, cia has developed audience-winning exhibits for science, technology, and children’s museums in the u.s. and beijing, china. she is a frequent teacher and guest lecturer with degrees in industrial design from Pratt institute in Brooklyn and milan’s domus academy. cia’s design work has been exhibited at the salone del mobili, euroluce, the Milan triennale with isao hosoe, and group design exhibitions in new york, Miami, and portland.

 values

  • life on planet earth is full and rich thanks to the diversity of species and ecosystems, but how much should our species consume in the face of a planetary crisis? moderation is one solution, especially for western nations. “higher-income people not only consume more goods overall, but they also use up a higher concentration of packaged and complex durable goods like cars, appliances, and electronic equipment.”*

    *imf.org/

  • intention is everything. treat people and the planet with empathy, care, and respect. do some good.

  • artisanship matters whether designing one object or many. thoughtful consideration of materials, details, engineering, and methods of making contribute to the functional and emotive lifespan of goods. and when the handmade character is evident, the human touch is soulful.

  • nothing great was achieved without a curious mind.

  • for design to break through, the long view requires risk-taking and experimentation. the trust is measured in meaningful results.

stories

thinking design for people + planet

what story will we tell the children?

our products are outliving us in the oceans, air, and soil. why add more things to an already polluted world? as circular systems and bio-based solutions emerge, still in their infancy, is there an opportunity to reduce consumption altogether?

a frequently cited fact is that by 2050, there will be more plastic in the world’s oceans than fish. still, the expected increase in the global production of future plastics is enormous.

how might we change our ways? we can begin by ending single-use plastics that cannot be recycled.