Bio/Contact
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I solve problems through design
Welcome to my little slice of the internet!
My name is Micah, and I design. I grew up in the great state of Maine spending my childhood outside filling my days with nature. I moved to Ohio where I pursued my degree in Industrial Design from the International Center for Creativity, partnered with Cedarville University. I love being outdoors and tend to spend most of my free time outside doing a multitude of activities. I love designing and searching for better ways to make something work. I am always looking for the next progression. I believe that good design is defined by the enjoyment of the consumer. My passion is to make that possible.
Say Hello
Please feel free to email me at micahheanssler@gmail.com if you would like to learn more about my work, collaborate on a project, or if you just want to talk about the snow conditions for skiing this year!
Some Work Experience
Vertical Supply Group Portland, ME
Senior Industrial Product Designer & Developer | 2020-Present
Lead end-to-end industrial and mechanical design, compliance engineering, and product life-cycle management for life-safety equipment and personal protective equipment (PPE) across VSG’s portfolio of professional brands (Notch Equipment, Sterling Rope, Yates Gear, LiftinGear, and Rope Logic).
New Product Introduction (NPI) & Hardware Innovation: Conceptualize, prototype, and industrialize specialized work-at-height gear—including arborist harnesses (Notch Catalyst), utility linemen safety belts, positioners, and climbing hardware—from initial ideation through mass production.
Global Standard Compliance & Regulatory Testing: Author and execute Design Validation Testing (DVT) matrixes to ensure full compliance with multiple standards, including but not limited to: ANSI Z359/Z133, CSA Z259, EN 361/358/813, ASTM F887, and NFPA 2500 life safety requirements.
Design for Manufacturability (DFM) & Supplier Quality: Oversee offshore and domestic vendor manufacturing. Perform rigorous sample evaluations, establish critical-to-quality (CTQ) tolerances, and resolve component defects across soft goods, forged metalwork, and precision CNC components.
Patent Analysis & Mechanical Systems: Direct patent landscape evaluations and technical feasibility studies for mechanical adjustability systems
Cross-Functional Leadership & Localization: Partner with executive leadership, legal compliance, and international manufacturing teams to streamline launch timelines, manage regulatory compliance, support strategic brand integrations, and bring technical product narratives to life.
Crow Works Columbus, OH
Product Designer, 2019 - 2020
Responsible for managing the design process from seasonal concepts and trends, color palettes, and product developments to final prototype through production
Develop and implement annual strategic business plans
Coordinate with sales, engineering, purchasing, and manufacturing to maximize the profitability of products through value engineering
Elevate product offerings and aesthetic of Crow Works
Lead the repricing of all curated products to align with market
Design two complete lines for launch in Q1 and Q2 for sales annually
Manage and develop departmental procedures for product design and prototyping
Responsible for yearly CMF approvals and launches
Work directly with Founders to ensure brand values are represented in all designs
Flowfold Scarborough, ME
Industrial Design Consultant, 2018 - 2019
Create exclusive product collections for key accounts
Design new in-line Flowfold products for spring and fall
Build prototypes for international distributors
Facilitate core and seasonal color palettes
Evaluate, research, and pitch product features and target customers for new products
Develop tech packs and manufacturer’s bill of materials
General Dynamics, Bath Iron Works Bath, ME
Lead Structural Designer and Mentor, 2015 - 2019
Mentored a team of thirty five designers to ensure company deadlines are met and verify development of design will meet customers needs
Collaborate with CAD development team to create processes for efficient testing of new design tools
Orchestrate robust training to increase productivity within the organization
Implement innovative programs and systems
Key contributor to design campaigns for substantial projects
Supported downstream customers by facilitating the transfer of models to an upgraded system to reduce cost and waste
Created designs of the integrated structural systems on the Arleigh Burke class Destroyer
Executed the verification and correction process of structural models after system upgrades
LaineGabriel Columbus, OH
Product Designer, 2014 - 2015
Led the design of a nationally recognized school backpack line for the startup of Laine Avenue
Facilitated research, focus groups, and storyboards to understand the current trends within young adults
Generated designs and prototypes based on in depth knowledge of trends
Managed and coordinated with prototypers for quick turnaround of design concepts
Designed and built tech packs for manufacturing
Oversaw the overseas manufacturing to produce a product with outstanding market presence
