CODY BLAZEK
blazekdesigns@gmail.com
DESIGN
MAGPUL INDUSTRIES
Senior Product Developer
In-house prototyping of all soft goods products.
Industrial sewing, 3D modeling, patterning, factory management, and material R&D.
EXXEL OUTDOORS
Industrial Designer
Design lead for the Ultimate Direction Blazek Series, a family of entry level vest-inspired backpacks for everyday commuting and weekend activities. ETA 2024
Initiated the Innovation Lab program and in charge of the Apex Vest, set out to redefine the running vest architecture as the market knows it. ETA 2025
Design lead of the SJK hunt/fish Bounty Series. A family of hunting packs ranging from 35, 55, and 85 Liters. ETA 2024
Design Lead for all licensed and mass product lines sold at Target. ETA 2021-2022
Design lead for all in-house licensed gear sold to Walmart’s 2021-2023.
ALTRA
Product Designer
Contract designer hired to create the Altra HIIT XT workout shoe. 2021
ATREYU
Product Designer
Contracted to design and develop the “Base Model” running shoe. Set out to be the first ever subscription based running shoe company with a focus on cost-effective, high-performance footwear.
CAVANA
Designer & Brand Developer
Contracted to design and refresh an entire men's casual dress shoe line built for the modern young professional. Developed consumer profiles, brand style-guides, marketing imagery guides, copyright and packaging design.
TREDAGAIN
Head of Design & Development
Creator of 6 lines of men's/women's footwear ranging from dress shoes, wedges, sneakers, sandals, boots, and loafers. Each with 3-5 unique products and all in 2-3 colors each.
In charge of:> Color/materials
> Market/consumer research
> Consumer feedback/R&D
> Brand strategy and style-guide
> Packaging design (shoe box)
> Product shoots (social media, staged, and catalog)
> Graphic designer (hangtags, banners, posters, expos, etc.)
LEVI'S INTERNSHIP
Selected as the Accessories Designer for Levi's, my role is to work in tandum with the footwear designers and create complementary products for the 3 categories of Casuals, Sneakers and Boots. A four week intensive talent search program intended to discover and innovate the new look of the Levi's brand. Feb 2016
ADIDAS INTERNSHIP
Selected for the Adidas Innovation Team 2018 to create a signature product line for NBA all-star, Andrew Wiggins. A three week intensive talent search program intended to discover new designers for the Adidas brand. Sep 2014
PENSOLE FOOTWEAR DESIGN ACADEMY
Finalist at the Pensole "World Sneaker Championship" for my lifestyle construction boot design with Orox Leather Goods. Jun 2013
Misc.
Revival Cycles - Hand-Built Show
Two time runner-up for both the BMW Design Contest and Ducati Design Contest. 2021 & 2022
Take the Bridge
Videographer Feb 2020 – Apr 2020
Social media marshal for livestream and event videography for the T.T.B. race series capturing footage of the lead pack as well as pre and post race activities. @takethebridge
Justin Wayne Cashion - Album Artist
Paranoid Narrative Feb 2020 – Mar 2020
Country/Rock singer/song writer Justin Wayne Cashion’s first full-length album release.
Almost Real Things – 09 “Dream State” 02/19
Cover Artist. Experience the creative "Dream State" within Almost Real Things Issue 09—an artzine packed with food, fashion, music, interviews, and artist spotlights. This issue features work and interviews from 36 fantastic creatives.
Sarah Sharp – 2x Album Cover Artist
Album Artist for Wake and Dream.
Award-winning singer-songwriter and jazz chanteuse Sarah Sharp pulls her bold vulnerability to document a profound time of change.
EDUCATION
University of Houston '15
Bachelors of Science for Industrial Design
Pensole Footwear Design Academy
3x Design Academy Master Class
“Cody is a high-rev thinker, his wheels are always spinning one hundred miles an hour.”
-Jeff Wagner, Brand Director at Ultimate Direction
"He can capture really subtle moments that you can only see in mature designers."
-Cord Bowen, Professor / Design Director at University of Utah
"Cody can render his butt off. His lines don’t lie."
-D’wayne Edwards, Founder of Pensole / Jordan Brand Director
"I'm transported into a gorgeous fantasy land. His grasp of fluidity and fantasy takes me away."
- Doug Jones, Actor (Hellboy, The Shape of Water, etc.)
"He's someone to watch for."
- Daniel "Attaboy" Seifert, Co-founder of Hi-Fructose Magazine
"His talent and determination trump just about everything else."
-Mia Gradney, Reporter for KHOU ABC News
HOBBIES
TRAIL RUNNING, CAMPING, HIKING, DRAWING, PAINTING, MOTORCYCLES, BIKING, SWIMMING, LIFTING, AND COFFEE.
RETAIL
SAINT BERNARD SPORTS, AUSTIN
Premium outdoor specialty retail store providing customer service with active lifestyle apparel, accessories and equipment for skiing, snowboarding, golf and leisure. 2018–2019
SCREAMING SKY GALLERY, PORTLAND
Locally owned and represented art shop and gift gallery with a focus on contemporary/unconventional artistic outlets and limited edition art collectibles. My goal was drive sales through art promotion and special events as well as being in charge of art displays. 2015-2016
FLEET FEET SPORTS, HOUSTON
Educate and build customer relations while assisting them through a fitting process in order to pair customers with the proper running shoes, clothes and nutrition based on each individuals goals, fitness level, activities, and body/foot type. 2007 – 2015
ARTWORK
MONKIEZ VINTAGE
22 ft. x 40 ft. Mural of a monkey skull wearing a suit framed by bananas like a movie marquee. Apr 2019
THUNDERCLOUD SUBS
20 ft. x 50 ft. Mural of a massive hand outreaching towards the capital of Austin with a gradient of brightly colored chevrons. Mar 2017
INFINITE MONKEY THEOREM
10 ft. x 20 ft. Urban Winery mural honoring Dionysus, the greek god of wine harvest. Oct 2016
LUSTRE PEARL EAST
10 ft. x 20 ft. mural depicting my symbolic journey moving towards an optimistic future. Feb 2016
THE KNOW
11 ft. x 17 ft. mural on the outside of punk rock bar, The Know. Aug 2015
SXSW
40 ft. x 40 ft. painting at Capital and Red River for Powwowhawaii and Austin's SXSW festival. Mar 2015
WILD PEAR RUNNING
Running specialty store. Commission work to design company logo and sub-branding graphics. Feb 2014
RUN CULTURE
Running specialty store. Commission work to design company logo, branding and an 8x8ft. in store running themed mural. Feb 2014
LULULEMON ATHLETICA
Commissioned artist. Painted yoga themed figures throughout the Houston store locations. Sept 2013
C.B.SNEAKERS
Owner/Operator of a shoe customizing company. Customized unique footwear by means of painting, cutting and sewing on existing footwear. 2007 – 2009