Nick Hollister.
Industrial Designer
Education
Purdue University
BFA in Industrial Design
Minor in The Russian Language
Experience
Industrial Designer - Hasbro
Industrial Design Intern - ICM Design
Research Analyst - Balkans investment Consulting Agency
Me
I’m a designer who’s driven by curiosity, exploration, and the process of turning ideas into something real.
I believe the strongest work comes from close cross-functional collaboration. I thrive working in person; whiteboards, quick mockups, and side conversations.
Outside of design, I’m a long-distance runner. Endurance training has shaped how I work: consistent, resilient, and comfortable staying with a challenge long enough to see progress.
Thanks for taking the time to explore my work.
Email
Resume
Linkedin
Work
- Nerf_ Value Channel
- Nerf _ Roleplay
- Nerf _ Licensed
- Misc _ Sketching
- Maps _ 3D Prints & Studies
- Metalwork _ Project Sampling
Nerf _ Value Channel
Hasbro
Industrial Design + Consumer Value Strategy
8 Months
2024
Problem
Design a compelling Nerf blaster line for value-channel retail, delivering strong perceived performance and brand presence while protecting high margins at aggressive price points. Balance feature reduction, simplified mechanisms, and tooling constraints without compromising play experience or shelf impact.
Process
Drove iterative sketch exploration to define feature sets and visual language across the line. Collaborated closely with engineers to align on cost targets and mech simplification, while working directly with overseas engineering teams
Solution
Maximize value through smart part reuse, simplified construction, and strategic feature differentiation, resulting in the most cost efficient blasters on the platform, while delivering differentiated play patterns.
Designing a Scalable Play Platform
Built around a fixed two-shot, front-load mechanism, the challenge was to create three distinct play experiences across separate price tiers without altering the internal architecture. By treating the mechanism as a scalable platform, I differentiated each SKU through form development, feature framing, ergonomics, and perceived performance cues.
Ideation & Form Exploration
Ideating around the defined mechanism to deliver 3 distict play patterns at 3 pricepoints.
Refinement
Providing comments / direction to overseas partners to refine sculpt and construction.
Physical Model + First Shot Review
Reviewing construction, molding, ergonomics, and functionality.
Final Concept _ VC1
2-shot pull to prime blaster. The lowest cost blaster construction on the platform.
Final Concept _ VC2
2-shot pull to prime blaster with break open barrel action.
Final Concept _ VC3
2-shot pump to prime blaster with large stock and a number of tactical rail points.