What is Forim?
Forim was created to combine parametric design and specification technologies with
innovative systems of production into platforms that produce functional architectural
accent elements that economically deliver results that are currently obtained through
craft - based custom fabrication.
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who is Forim?
Paul James
Award-winning industrial designer with experience in commercial and residential furnishings and
architectural products categories.
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Jonas Hauptman
Award winning designer specializing in the architectural market with extensive experience in design,
manufacturing and oversight of complex projects.
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Walter Zesk
Thought leader in parametric design and product specification with expertise in conceptual design, engineering,
and software development.
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Michael Chefalo
Business professional with over 20 years of management experience.
MBA from a top 25 program with concentrations in marketing and
operations management. Extensive exposure to international markets
and cultures. Leader for cross-functional teams focusing on business
development, product lifecycle management, new product development,
marketing communications, channel management, supply chain optimization
and business process implementation. Product categories include office
furniture, food and industrial capital equipment
Cornell University, BS, Applied Economics and Business Management
University of Rochester Simon School of Business, MBA, Marketing and Operations Management
Professional experience - Product Manager - The Gunlocke Company (contract office furnishings),
Rich Products Incorporated (food products) and Robbins and Myers (industrial capital goods).
VP of Product Management - Bush Industries (commercial office furnishings). Contract marketing
consultant - Prohject on Seeyond Architectural Products project (interior architectural products).
Paul James
Award-winning industrial designer with experience in commercial and residential furnishings and
architectural products categories. Provides industrial design, product development, and strategy
consulting. Established formalized product design and development protocols, developed engineering
and manufacturing support systems and protocol. Forges high-performance teams that develop shared insight,
innovative concepts, and market-proven successes. Development leader for over 60 new product lines generating in excess of $350 MM in sales.
St. Olaf College, BA, Mathematics and Economics
Rochester Institute of Technology, MFA, Industrial Design
Professional experience - Principal - James Design Company (design consultancy with client base of KI, Gunlocke, Williams Sonoma Inc.,
West Elm, Fixtures Furniture Inc., ABCO Furniture, Izzy+, Wenger Corporation, Safco Products Company, I Made That, Inc.), founder and
principal - Prohject LLC, founder and co-inventor - Seeyond Architectural Products, Director of New Product Development - Blu Dot and
The Gunlocke Company
Academic experience - Adjunct faculty at Rochester Institute of Technology, Guest lecturer at RIT, Cornell University, Syracuse University,
Southern Illinois University, Minneapolis College of Art and Design, University of Minnesota, Industrial Design Society of America,
American Institute of Graphic Arts
Jonas Hauptman
Award winning designer specializing in the architectural market with extensive experience in design,
manufacturing and site oversight of complex architectural projects. Combines deep knowledge of materials,
manufacturing processes, technology and user requirements to design and develop innovative solutions in the
architectural products space. Sympathetic to all constituents in the process, having played a key role in
product design, craft-production, engineering, specification, estimation and business development through
a range of enterprises both large and small.
Rhode Island School of Design, BFA, Sculpture
Cranbrook Academy of Art, MFA, Metalsmithing
Professional experience - Principal - Hauptman Products, Senior Project Manager - 3form, Senior Design Technologist/ Design Principal -
Walsh Bishop Associates, founder and principal - Prohject LLC, founder and co-inventor - Seeyond Architectural Products
Academic experience (Architecture & Design) - Guest instructor - Rhode Island School of Design. Guest critic - University of the Arts
and University of Pennsylvania. Guest lecturer - University of Detroit. Adjunct Faculty - University of Minnesota, Otis College of
Art and Design, Southern California Institute of Architecture and University of Michigan. Oberdick Fellow - University of Michigan
Walter Zesk
Leading technologist, responsible for technical research and development, strategic planning and management of external technical resources.
Thought leader in parametric design and product specification. Experience includes building client relationships, conceptual design, engineering,
and software development.
Wesleyan University, BA, Studio Art and Philosophy.
Rhode Island School of Design MA, Graduate School of Architecture
Professional experience - Partner - ConformLab, design studio and digital fabrication workshop. Partner - Prohject,
design consultancy, interior architectural products. Boatbuilder - Arey’s Pond Boad Yard
Academic experience - Faculty - Rhode Island School of Design Continuing Education, Guest lecturer -
Rhode Island School of Design, Critic - Rhode Island School of Design
